No Obama Statement for Joan Riversby KEITH KOFFLER on SEPTEMBER 12, 2014
Ah, the pettiness.
President Obama has failed to issue an official presidential statement of sorrow on the passing of comedienne Joan Rivers, a distinct contrast with little elegy he put out for Robin Williams.
You know what I mean, those bulletins that begin, Michelle and I are deeply saddened by the passing of . . .
Joan RiversBut not for Joan, even though Rivers was arguably a far more significant figure in the world of comedy and U.S. pop culture than Williams. Not only was she at it longer than him, but she was a pioneer, one of the early female standup comedians, paving the way for the many hilarious women that have followed her. She is an important figure in the movement for women’s equality.
But she had two problems with the Obamas. First of all, she was a Republican who had the audacity to complain about Obama’s tax increases. She once singled out estate taxes, which Obama has consistently tried to raise and which has gone up during his presidency. “I can’t wait until he decides to tax me some more on my deathbed,” she said about the estate tax. “I’m really thrilled about that.”
But her real sin was this:
Okay, not very nice. But that was Joan’s schtick. She went after politicians and celebrities in the most acerbic way.
Most of them were big enough to take it.
Here are a few other of her memorable moments.
http://www.whitehousedossier.com/2014/09/12/white-house-statement-joan-rivers/