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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Dad speaks out in support of bus driver OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road Soroptimists' garden tour set for Saturday in Medford, Jacksonville Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso Crime, Courts and Emergency Services OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso Emergency services Two arrested after pursuit through Jackson County UPDATE: School bus driver killed in crash near Rogue River identified Politics and Elections Case, Salmon leading in Central Point School Board race Lundberg, Mannenbach leading Eagle Point races Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. 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Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Study finds family rules about screen time, eating seem to work Gift of time: Instead of presents, share experiences with kids Reading can keep young minds fresh over summer break Linda Cobb: Time to make a list of spring garden chores Page H. Onorato: Saturday brought treat for supper Food Page H. Onorato: Saturday brought treat for supper Taste of Alba Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can Potluck: A Gooey Butter Cake to cherish Community blog: Pucker up for quick rhubarb-celery-berry pickle Home and Garden Linda Cobb: Time to make a list of spring garden chores Dear Monty: Novice homebuyer’s first attempt disappointing Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Health Donna Knight: How to lessen your risk Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories SOU presents Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Theater SOU presents Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time Music Interview: Country mainstay T. Graham Brown reflects on career Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum at The Mountain House Sly & Robbie play Historic Ashland Armory Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: Cast keeps laughs coming in ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess Dining Wine by the keg, growler, box and ammo can 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs ... Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road ... Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso ... OSP traffic stop nets more than 30 pounds of drugs ... Medford looks to improve stretch of Foothill Road ... Jackson County man hospitalized after being shot in torso ... Dianne Williamson: Rare talent needn't tread lightly on taboo topics By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:24 am By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:24 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> I’ve always found good comedy akin to Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s famous definition of hard-core pornography: I can’t explain it, but I know it when I see it. So when I heard that comedian Louis C.K. had caused outrage with a monologue on “Saturday Night Live” that included jokes about racism, child molestation and the Middle East, I had to see it. Louis is no stranger to edgy humor. He frequently plays with taboo topics and material traditionally considered off limits, which is one of the many reasons I adore him. The main reason? He’s funny. And funny excuses many sins. His monologue Saturday night was classic Louis C.K. He opened with a discussion of race and growing up in the 1970s, and said he has “mild racism” that’s “benign” and “not aggressive.” He compared the ongoing Palestinian and Israeli fights to that of his young children and called the Middle East enemies “little (expletives).” Then he riffed on what is perhaps the most taboo topic in the universe when it comes to comedy. “In the ’70s, there was a child molester who lived in my hometown,” he said. “And it wasn’t a big deal … it was just like, that’s the house where the child molester lives.” He described the neighborhood attitude this way: “Hey kids, don’t be stupid, you’ll get molested, just stay away from the child molester house — I know because he did something to me when I was your age.” He then noted that child molesters are universally reviled, yet they continue to offend. “From their point of view, it must be amazing, for them to risk so much.” He joked that he loves Mounds bars, but he’d give them up if they could land him in jail for life. The comedian knew full well that his humor was pushing the envelope. As some members of the audience groaned, he said, “How do you think I feel? It’s my last show, probably.” The twitterverse predictably exploded, because it’s much easier to be offended than to acknowledge that even taboo topics can be funny when handled by a unique and gifted comic. Many folks expressed outrage, disgust and offense. One woman wrote that her “heart aches for humanity” because of the monologue. Another said it “just made me feel yucky.” Someone else called it “the unfunniest, most offensive SNL monologue I’ve ever seen.” Meanwhile, headline writers had no qualms about taking the edgy monologue out of context: “Outrage as controversial comedian spends five minutes rationalizing child molesters in bizarre joke on SNL,” wrote The Daily Mail. Other publications claimed he equated pedophilia with the joys of eating sweets. Sigh. Does anyone truly believe that Louis C.K. thinks it’s funny when a child is molested? Of course not. Could his jokes be considered offensive? Sure. But like any artist worth his salt, the best comics take risks. They don’t always succeed. Before you judge, however, I suggest you watch the monologue yourself. Some of our smartest comics have made jokes about rape, homosexuality and even the Holocaust. Sarah Silverman has made ample use of the Holocaust in her material, referring to her show “Jesus is Magic” as “about the Holocaust and AIDS, but it’s funny, and it’s a musical.” In his debut as host of the Oscars, when Seth MacFarlane announced the nominations for Best Picture, he joked about “Amour”: “The last time Austria and Germany got together and co-produced something it was Hitler, but this is much better.” Writers of the satirical online magazine The Onion are frequently offensive and consistently hilarious. They get away with it because they’re funny and we respect them. The world can be awful, and laughter is precious. “There’s a formula in stand-up comedy,” Australian comic Jim Jefferies told the humor magazine Splitsider. “The more offensive the joke, the funnier it has to be.” The profane humor of Louis C.K. makes us laugh. He can joke about the most heinous crime imaginable and it’s somehow funny. I can’t explain it, but I know it when I see it. So let’s lighten up and appreciate the rare performers who find comic gold where others dare not mine. Dianne Williamson is a columnist for The Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 19, 2015 @ 8:24 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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