Kimmel Refuses to Apologize or Correct the Record
JimmyKimmel’s “apology” show, after his brief suspension, was not an apology. He didnot admit he had said anything wrong. He lied about the initial lie. And he maintainedthat Christians must forgive him anyway.
This cannotstand. This makes it an imperative matter of principle to condemn his behaviouras severely as possible.
This is notto say that Brendan Carr and the FTC should step in and pull licenses, orthreaten to. Although there is an argument for this, since the airwaves are a publictrust. This would not be, moreover, a matter of cancelling someone for theiropinions. There is a critical difference between an opinion and an objective fact.It can be demonstrated objectively, as in a court of law, that Kimmel told alie, and with the intent to slander his political opponents. That is not fairgame. Nevertheless, it is unwise to set this precedent.
On theother hand, it is also not enough just to boycott, to resolve not to watchKimmel anymore. Who watches him now anyway?
It is notenough to boycott ABC. Who watches it now anyway?
It is notenough to boycott Disney, the parent company. Most on the right are alreadyboycotting. Most are not very interested in watching anything from Disney nowanyway.
If lack ofviewership were enough to get Kimmel cancelled, he should have been cancelledby now.
He has beenpropped up this long because the left have claimed for themselves the moral highground.
What weneed is a moral appeal, an appeal to conscience, an “appeal to heaven.” Every decentperson who has voice must publicly condemn his behaviour. Those who do not haveany public platform can at least write in to their local ABC affiliate, if inthe US, write to his advertisers, and express their ire. Those watching onlinecan put comments on videos. Express clearly that his apology is not acceptable.
This isnot, and need not be, a call for cancellation. If Kimmel were even now to admitwrongdoing, apologize, correct his initial statement, and pledge to avoid suchpartisanship in the future, we could and should forgive. I would certainly beready to. But he has now publicly refused to do so.
Just as soulschoose Hell rather than admit their sins, Kimmel has chosen his fate.
'Od's Blog: Catholic comments on the passing parade.
