who can never hear anything we do n’t like ?
exhibit a , according to mr. maher , is the recent flap over actor robert de niro ’s quip — for which he subsequently apologized — that americans might not be ready for a “ white first lady .
mr. de niro was speaking at a fund - raiser with the first lady , michelle obama .
mr. maher ’s credit , he ’s willing to apply his permissive rule consistently , to include conservatives such as rush limbaugh , who apologized , under pressure , for labeling a georgetown law student a “ slut ” on his radio show .
this week , robert de niro made a joke about first ladies , and newt gingrich said it was “ inexcusable and the president should apologize for him .
and we can move on to the next time we choose sides and pretend to be outraged about nothing .
now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady ’s press secretary declared the joke “ inappropriate , ” and mr. de niro said his remarks were “ not meant to offend .
” mr. maher wants “ an amnesty — from the left and the right — on every made - up , fake , totally insincere , play - acted hurt , insult , slight and affront .
” of course , if something is “ inexcusable , ” an apology does n’t make any difference , but then again , neither does newt gingrich .