CEO, Comedy Central: Take Daniel Tosh off the air

[4th law of robotics]

44. That wasn't heckling since he wasn't interrupting the show

And it's important in these discussions to clearly understand what the issue is.

It is being presented as "rape jokes aren't funny".

This is close but in reality it's "rape jokes aren't funny . . . against women".

It's clear from context and the complete lack of outrage over rape jokes where men are being raped (or mutilated) that "rape isn't funny" isn't a gender-blind truism.

So the discussion is based on the assumption that mocking men who are raped is acceptable but is it ok to treat women as equals on this or are they in a special protected class?

Personally I think that is a far greater tragedy than a heckler having her feelings hurt. It's based on the assumption that men, even innocent ones, are somehow vile animals who deserve the punishment of rape; so it's funny. Whereas of course women are perpetual victims so no such victimization is funny (you can find other examples: husband beating wife = scumbag, not something to joke about; wife beating husband = sitcom gold!).

This outrage just further cements in the public mentality the notion that men deserve it (since it's impossible to see this outrage and not notice that this is a one way street when gender is concerned).