This is the world our moral, ethical, and intellectual betters have made. We’re starting to see how much they like it, now that they’re out of power.
Back in Dec. 2014, a Capitol Hill staffer named Elizabeth Lauten lost her job after criticizing Sasha and Malia Obama. Here’s what Lauten wrote on Facebook:
“Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.”
It was a rather mild rebuke, but a lot of people thought Lauten went too far. The Obama girls were considered off-limits. The message was clear: Don’t go after the children of politicians, or it’ll mean your job.
Alright, then. Robert Donachie reports:
The Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer who made fun of Barron Trump has now reportedly been suspended from the program.
Katie Rich, a writer for SNL since 2013, tweeted out Friday afternoon that: “Barron will be this country’s first homeschool [sic] shooter…”
The Daily Caller News Foundation independently confirmed that Rich was suspended immediately after her tweet, and the suspension is indefinite.
Ms. Rich has since apologized:
I sincerely apologize for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I'm so sorry.
— Katie Rich (@katiemaryrich) January 23, 2017
This is unusual for an apology in the 21st Century, in that it contains an actual apology.
I’m ambivalent. Ms. Rich made a joke — a mean, crappy joke, but a joke — which is what she’s supposed to do as a comedy writer. Her apology seems sincere. If it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t fire her or suspend her. But I’m not too broken up about it, because for once, the rules that apply to one side are also being applied to the other side.
If you hate Donald Trump and you have a great joke about his child, and it makes you feel better when you tell it, go ahead and tell it to your friends. Just don’t tell it online, or on TV, or somewhere else the kid might see it.
Your rules, your turn.