Mary Katharine Ham slaps back at people mad at Ben Sasse because Bill Maher used the N-word

Bill Maher says the N-word on his show and the left is firing at Ben Sasse (who he was interviewing). That fits.

— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) June 3, 2017

Ben Sasse is going to become the spokesman for the dangers of Secondhand Slur.

— NeoN: Automataster (@neontaster) June 3, 2017

While you were sleeping, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) came under fire because Bill Maher used the n-word during an interview on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Friday night.

In the clip, Sasse is joking with Maher about working in the “fields” and Maher responded that he’s more of a “house n****r.”

Bill Maher just said the n word, @BenSasse didn't look horrified, and the audience applauded. pic.twitter.com/kFAs1S3dyM

— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) June 3, 2017

Sigh. Ben Sasse isn’t the “villain” here, people!

Oh, screw this. Kathy Griffin is not the victim in her own stunt & @bensasse is not a villain bc some guy said something insane next to him. https://t.co/2A2mlend3G

— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) June 3, 2017

Even Clara Jeffery from Mother Jones agrees:

.@BenSasse isn't the one people should be upset with. It's Maher. https://t.co/KldbDUAA3d

— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) June 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/JesseInOH/status/870960625442336768

Senator Sasse responded to the controversy in 4 tweets after he landed this morning on his return from the show:

Am walking off a redeye from LAX.
3 reflections on @billmaher
1. I’m a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines.

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

2. But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn’t good enough.
(2of4?) https://t.co/e4Bw8s8tV2

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

3. Here’s what I wish I’d been quick enough to say in the moment: “Hold up, why would you think it’s OK to use that word?…
(3of4?) https://t.co/mQL6wMEd7W

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

(4of4)
"…The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It’s therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.” https://t.co/kEZm5vPFHK

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) June 3, 2017

And libs are still outraged:

https://twitter.com/namenzie/status/870950915146231808

"Cringing"? pic.twitter.com/6scWCf4oHE

— Anealla (@anealla) June 3, 2017

Sigh.