Joy opens with a comment - turn on now n/t

[malaise]

[oasis]

1. Sincere apology.

[malaise]

2. And a panel on the subject

Excellent move

[EffieBlack]

8. Including a rep from PFLAG. a group that rescinded her award

She's not ducking the issue.

[malaise]

10. Good for Joy

[Takket]

27. Won't see that kind of thing on Hannity.

[oasis]

31. More importantly, she's very clear about where she is now. nt

[Hortensis]

79. And to some degree always was. "...those thoughts are completely alien to me."

Joy speaking in the beginning on some of the comments attributed to her that she can't prove were hacked and doctored. I've been in a position where I was told I said something and didn't remember but knew I simply couldn't have because it would be alien to me. There really are things I've never said and never would.

That of course leaves a lifetime of casual comments that sounded humorous and clever, and not indecent, at the time but don't stand up to scrutiny when "the country is in a very different place."

[oasis]

82. I see the dust settling on this. Issue addressed, lessons learned. nt

[Hortensis]

86. Yes. Addressed very well. nt

[IluvPitties]

3. I'm saddened she had to go through this.

[malaise]

6. She's doing the right thing

Bravo Joy!

[IluvPitties]

7. Yes, she is responding the right way.

[ChiTownDenny]

63. She deserves the public flogging she's receiving.

Now let's all move on!

[oasis]

4. Jonathan Capehart on panel

[malaise]

14. He was great but Zeke Stokes is nailing it

about the RWs take down and destroy approach.

[hlthe2b]

18. Yup... I would love to direct his comments at certain DUers, but of course, I won't..I hope

they do see his comments, though and consider what they are doing with their immovable position.

[malaise]

19. LOL

Great discussion going on here

[EffieBlack]

5. Wow

[Tipperary]

9. Unable to watch. Did she admit making the comments?

[malaise]

15. She admitted to making insensitive comments in the past but not those

being debated as a means to getting her fired.

[MrScorpio]

11. She's clearly creating an opportunity to use all of this as a learning/teaching experience...

Which is an example of why she needs to be supported, instead of being attacked.

[HipChick]

16. Exactly..

[malaise]

20. +1,000

Joy and her guests are class acts.

[Cracklin Charlie]

61. Excellent!

Good on Joy for addressing the issue head-on.

Thanks for the report, malaise!

[oasis]

35. Great panel. Expanding discussion on LGBT issues.

[Raster]

12. absolutely amazing...

...sitting here in tears. Joy rocks.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

13. K&R.

[HipChick]

17. Would have been great if she had Maddow on too...

[oberliner]

22. Why?

[HipChick]

28. Maddow co-signed support for Tom

Why not Joy?

[EffieBlack]

39. Maybe because a letter of support for Joy hasn't been circulated

Likely because, unlike Brokaw, she has her own show and platform.

[True Blue American]

58. So did Andrea Mitchell

Mika and many others. They all talked about how Tom helped them.

OK, guys this hysteria has gone on a little long.I understand many were mistreated by powerful men. But as a woman I feel some is overblown by glory seekers.

The 5 women that Trump dragged in to the debate to embarrass Hillary. They should have been ashamed of themselves. It is bad enough they slept,or tried to with a mat tied man. Haven’t they matured at all? One of the reasons I hope this finishes Trump.

[George II]

66. The Tom Brokaw situation is completely different from the Joy Reid situation.

Not even close.

[still_one]

70. That is exactly right George

[malaise]

69. Yep and Joy does more subs for her than anyone else n/t

[EffieBlack]

29. ?

[Kirk Lover]

23. I feel the black community as a whole has evolved on this issue. From my experiences

there was massive homophobia in the black and latino community..from what I see today there is more acceptance.

[HipChick]

30. I hate when folks make assumptions...but it may boil down to a generational thing

[Kirk Lover]

32. Well I did say in my experiences....which I do have a lot of. nt

[still_one]

73. It seems to center more on religious beliefs than anything else which might be exactly what you are

saying:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/09/24/why-resistance-remains-among-black-democrats-for-gay-marriage/?utm_term=.982d9bc3742b

Regardless of demographics, I think those who have a more fundamentalist view of religion are going to be less inclined to be supportive of LGBT rights

I suspect that the various inferences that people of color seem to be less accepting of LGBT is inadvertently an example of "white privilege"

[yardwork]

54. Please don't use the phrase "sexual preference."

I am sure that you don't mean any disrespect, but that phrase is considered to be disrespectful by many LGBT people.

Thanks so much.

[Clarity2]

57. This is my biggest problem with DU

People getting jumped on because they didn't say exactly the PC thing or word correctly.

Dear Lordy, even Oprah did many episodes on the stigma in the african community about being homosexual with real life people who told their stories. Who literally said there is a stigma in the african american community. Nowhere did anyone mention anything about the church.

I didn't want to get in the fray of this argument, but since I'm here, I don't have a problem with what Joy may have said 10 years or more ago. Things were different then. Attitudes were different. What was ok to say then, isn't ok to say now. We were closer to 9/11 back then, and there was also a lot of fear about muslim/Islam practices and suppression of freedom. Most importantly being close to 9/11, AND living in NY (I believe Joy is in NYC), there was a lot of fear. A lot of it was fear mongering, but a lot was self generated from going through the experience. Swaths of people in areas that were attacked suffered from PTSD. Every time we saw a plane flying over, the stomach turned.

I think the most important thing is being honest and forthcoming about it (i.e. the coverup would be worse than the crime).

[FreeState]

80. It's 2018

“Sexual preference,” was an is used by the right wing to attack the gay community, over and over for years.

My biggest problem with DU is privilage telling gay people how to think or feel about their own history and existance. If gays and lesbians are truly equal then this doesn’t happen. But it’s all over DU - nearly every Joy thread I have read on DU is offensive in that it excuses the homophobia.

I’ve been on DU since the beginning and lots of gay people have left because of this very reason.

[Kirk Lover]

85. So you prefer "straight sex" to "gay sex"? Because that is what you are saying.

Preference means CHOICE. Just like Hetero's aren't choosing to be straight ...neither are gay etc...folk choosing to be gay.

[Kirk Lover]

60. I think that with more people coming out in said communities it has helped break down

this homophobia. More exposure in society in general has certainly helped. Again I SAID IN MY EXPERIENCES....which has been a lot. They don't call me the inside out oreo for nuthin'.

I will say I've always tried to shed light (to whomever - no matter the race) on being gay or bi when I've come across this...so I hope in a very small part I've helped.

[Butterflylady]

24. Wonderful roundtable discussion!

[oasis]

41. A positive result from a frenzied past few days. nt

[BlueIndyBlue]

25. I love Joy and her heart

As a bi-sexual woman, I admire anyone that can own up to not being as progressive about LGBTQ issues years ago and actually go beyond the apology and have a discussion about where we were and where we are now. I so agree with the panel that are stating that we, especially here on DU, are so upset about a Joy Reid's previous statements but so complacent about #45's current actions that affect us. Joy I accept your apology and believe in the progression of your heart and views in 2018.

[Kirk Lover]

33. It's the very definition of PROGRESSION ! Now c'mon the rest of America ...get with it! nt

[MoonRiver]

26. I love Joy!

Wish she would run for president!

[SCVDem]

34. Who hasn't said things long ago

which we want back?

Our thoughts and ideas evolve, which is good and shows enlightenment.

The rest work for dump.

[oasis]

44. The well informed panel gets it. Joy's back in good graces. nt

[hlthe2b]

46. Who hasn't said things years ago they regret and who hasn't evolved... I surely have..

I feel certain that I've never posted something bigoted, but I'm sure any misunderstood comments on any number of subjects--were the result of me not taking the time to make sure my points were clearly expressed--and for that I certainly have regrets. I've seen a few people denying they'd EVER posted something they later regretted. Sorry, i just don't think they are being honest with themselves, even if those posts were meant to be benign.

I remember about ten years ago on DU (during the time when transgender issues/rights seemed to have taken a back seat by LGB-supporters in Congress, in order to get a basic protection bill passed, which they did)... that an heated discussion about transgender, transexuality, cis terminology as well as confusion over cross dressing v the derisive term, "trans" and "transvestite" erupted here. And I DO mean ERUPTED. Still an awful lot of education went on and it think some positive attitude changes occurred as well.

Yup, we all have to evolve on issues that may not directly and immediately effect us. Progressives/liberals/most Democrats are willing to embrace that challenge. Conservatives quite often are not. RW fundamentalist conservatives, almost NEVER. And alt-right/Trumpistas/White Nationalists---NEVER.

The enemy of change is not us, unless we all ourselves to be divided.

[R B Garr]

36. Panel keeping it real --Republicans are the enemy.

Not fellow progressives.

Ten year old tweets don’t compare to current enemies actively working against LGBTQ communities.

Capehart saying his own mother had to evolve.

Joy’s comments are brilliant, as always.

[hlthe2b]

37. Wow.. long segment without even one commercial break. Kudos, MSNBC

[Takket]

38. She got in front of the issue and met it head on

This matter is closed.

[HipChick]

47. Exactly..CNN ran a hit piece on her this morning already..

[Kirk Lover]

77. You mean the segment on Smerconish? nt

[mcar]

40. So glad to hear this!

I suspected Joy would know how to handle this.

[ananda]

42. Why couldn't Franken have stood strong like that?

I'm so sad.

[oasis]

48. Franken had very little if any, high profile support. nt

[lark]

52. Franken was crucified by some members of his own party looking to score points,

and not caring one bit about the real truth.

[oasis]

53. This will come back to bite them in the ass. nt

[OliverQ]

43. Good for her.

People change. Just because she made some offensive comments in the past, doesn't mean she's the same person. We have bigger things to worry about from the right-wing than some blog posts from years ago.

[mfcorey1]

45. This was the best panelist conversation I viewed in a long time.

[oasis]

51. Very informative. It turned out to be a big positive for all involved. nt

[Hav]

49. I just hope the hacking allegations were not a lie

An open apology for insensitive comments she made is good but either way, from what I saw, she shouldn't lose her job for it. But if she lied about it, it would have only made it worse but one also deserves the chance to come clean.
I didn't see all comments. Her homophobic comments were insensitive but also relatively mild and sadly not uncommon for the times, also on DU. Some of the remarks that were later presented as even worse, like that parts in the Islamic world are not compatible with western values weren't controversial for me at all.

[yardwork]

55. I'm glad that Joy acknowledged and apologised. Good for her.

It's unfortunate that in the well-intentioned effort to support Joy here on DU and on other websites, the hurtful impact of the words themselves were unjustly dismissed.

I believe that this attack on Joy by digging up old posts and tweets from a decade ago was unjustified trouble-making, an effort to divide Democrats.

That said, I'm very disappointed in the many responses, here and elsewhere, that dismissed the words themselves as "nothing." Again, gay people were thrown under the bus, even while many of us were writing in support of Joy. Very disappointing.

[MountCleaners]

59. Thank you

Words and attitudes do hurt and leave scars if you're the one who has to live with them.

I have nothing against Joy Reid, but I don't like the arguments where people say, "who among us hasn't..." You haven't if you've been the victim of someone's prejudice. When someone you liked says those things, it betrays trust.

At least Reid is working to repair that trust.

[yardwork]

62. Thank you for acknowledging my point. I appreciate it.

[Ilsa]

56. It makes me ill that people were trying to

Discredit and destroy an emerging, fearless, intelligent voice for democrats.

I love Joy Reid. If her current beliefs about sexuality are evolved tp "progressive" from a more narrow construct, then I think that puts her light years ahead of the GOP, who refuses to evolve at all.

[Ilsa]

72. I suppose I could focus on that,

but I won't because of the bigger picture that someone is trying to take out another progressive voice. Is she really progressive? Everything over the last few years says she is, and as I said, what she is now, vs ten years ago, is greater than anyone in the gop. I don't want to see her torn apart and leaving a void. I'll take her and her imperfect past over the rest them any day.

[OnDoutside]

68. Great post.

[PaulX2]

65. I Have Said Insensitive Things About Ann Coulter Too - Nothing As Bad As What Comes Out Of Ann's

Mouth every single day.

There should be some rule. Maybe once someone sinks so low, someone like Coulter, Rush, Hannity, Savage, Ingraham, or any of the other lying hate spewers, then anything you want to say about them should be allowed. Draw the line where you want. We all know gays, lesbians, Polish People, Irish, mentally retarded people, and know the hateful things said about "them". I personally wouldn't reference any groups in my Lying Republican Takedowns.

Republicans are the lowest life form. Calling them anything is a compliment.

I fully support Joy Reid.

What people think evolves. Even if she said hurtful things, because that was how she was programmed from childhood, if she has changed and apologized, and is willing to face it, good for her. I think a lot of things posted on her blog were from hackers since there was no comments.

I smell a Big Republican Rat here.

[Iliyah]

75. Coulter is an souless human being.

One quote that stands out, and there are tons, is

"Our blacks and better than your blacks"

Ugh

[NBachers]

67. Okay, who's next in line for the troll attack tag team?

[erlewyne]

71. Thanks malaise

I turned it on and am quite pleased for no
other reason than I like Joy .... always have,
I just did not know she was on.

thanks

[Iliyah]

74. I changed my opinion about the LGBT,

community and I'm 35. My parents, grandparents were totally against them and so was our church. We all evolved.

[duforsure]

76. Good for JOY!!!!

She like many have evolved and changed as many things have progressed in our way of life from years ago.

[Lint Head]

78. This shows that progressives and Liberals are not afraid to say they're sorry.

That when they are wrong they own up to it instead of hunkering down and continuing to have views that are abhorrent. I bet the orange Jesus has never apologize for anything ever in his life. Or anyone who supports him. One thing that was said on Bill Maher last night that struck home to me. When people who say they voted for Trump but they are not racist or bigoted, it is such an empty thing to say. Maher said that when you confront a Trump supporter, telling them that they have racist views or that they are racist and bigoted just because they voted for Trump, they have to remember. They say they're not racist but they voted for someone who is. If you support a racist or bigot what does that make you? I say it makes you a racist and a bigot because you support someone who has racist and bigoted views. On the other hand I would say someone who is really not racist or bigoted they would not support someone who is.
I don't agree with everything Bill Maher says and I know there are folks on the Democratic Underground who also don't particularly like Bill Maher but that statement really cut to the truth

[BobTheSubgenius]

81. For those of us coming late to the party,

the background is a little thin. All I can say is, I support Joy until she gives me a reason not to.