Liberal Wis. Radio Host Under Fire for Mocking Lt. Gov. With Sex, Cancer Jokes
- Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:30pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A liberal Wisconsin talk radio host has apologized after making crude sexual jokes about the state’s female lieutenant governor, as well as mocking her survival of colon cancer.
On Monday, Madison-area WTDY morning host John “Sly” Sylvester criticized Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch’s cold-calling attempts trying to woo businesses from Illinois to Wisconsin in the wake of the former state’s financial woes. In response, Sylvester mockingly impersonated Kleefisch and said she was only elected after performing sexual acts. He then later referenced Kleefisch’s bout with colon cancer and wondered if her hairstyle is a result of having to wear a wig:
The comments can be heard in full by clicking here, courtesy of WTMJ in Milwaukee. [WARNING: Contains graphic content.]
Wisconsin Republican Party executive director Mark Jefferson told WKOW-TV the remarks by Sylvester were “offensive.“ The American Cancer Society called them ”disrespectful” and said Sylvester’s comments were made “under the guise of political discourse.”
Kleefisch responded by calling the comments “unfortunate” and delivering a message to young girls in Wisconsin:
Initially, Sylvester’s program director defended the remarks as comedy to WKOW. “It was obvious sarcasm and was not intended to be taken literally,” he said on Tuesday.
But on Wednesday, Sylvester said on-air that he sent an apology letter to Kleefisch and admitted his comments “might have been a little too crude.”
(Click here to listen to Sylvester’s response.)
“I didn’t need to take it the sexual reference part,” he said, adding that he was “not mocking [Kleefisch's] cancer.”
The controversy is especially relevant in the wake of Tucson shootings, which many in the media and the left have tried to blame on conservative rhetoric.
Wisconsin’s governor and leaders are increasingly trying to market the state as a business-friendly place. This week, the state erected signs stating as much and passed tax breaks for new businesses.
(H/T: NewsBusters)
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Comments (144)
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:08pmNothing new about liberals attacking America at large, little 20%ers that they are.
Attacking the other 80% for not being wholly “one of them” ? Knock yourselves out! That rotten house of rags you call a ‘tent’ is blowing in the wind.
Report Post »lizaz
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:04pmAnd these are the morons who criticize Sarah Palin!!! Wow, he should look in a mirror!! It’s really sad this type of slime has to exist in our country….too bad he can’t find something worthwhile to talk about, if he would know what’s worthwhile….
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:17pmDon’t worry about Palin – She‘s ’reloading’.. She’s also just around the corner of Martyr status after standing up to two years of orchestrated character assassinations. Where everyone hates a loser and loves a winner – the roles will soon reverse. It’s the natural order in battle. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose. They have not been able to win the war yet?
The Simpletons will set themselves up so we can again watch her knock’em down again. It’s becoming a sport. People don’t like cheaters – The left has not given anyone anything to route for. 4th quarter won’t be looking good for them..
Report Post »Dutch1949
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:04pmAn idiot left wing liberal radio talk show host!!!! He really displays his credentials as such…no class…no character… no dignity. You know that it’s a prerequisite to be a lame stream media personality . You have to display all the inner rot and stinch that you can possibly muster. AND….you have to maintain that level of subhuman behavior for as long as it takes to destroy good.What an absolute waste of humanity. Yeah… I know.. civil discourse. Who gives a rats a## about it . thats just another way that these liberal nut jobs use to shut down conservative criticism of their socialistic ideals. Civil discourse is not in my vocab.
Report Post »BlazingInSC
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:02pmSo I just wonder when someone on the left is going to actually be responsible enough to stand up and tell his or her counterparts to just STFU already until they figure out how to speak without disdain and hate for anybody who disagrees with them? Anyone? Someone? Morning Joe? Eddy? Keefy Weefy? Rachel? Chrisy Matty? Mike Maloy? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Report Post »Fight for America
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:49pmWarning, possibly, politically incorrect, rhetoric coming –
The guy is scum. He’s probably sorry he got caught and more than one side was offended. He’ d already be in the unemployment line if he was my employee. His personal possessions at the studio would be thrown in the street so he wouldn’t enter the building again. Presumably, you can fire someone who doesn’t know the difference between talent abd being a bullying jerk with no class. Give someone else the job and the money.
Report Post »The Bees
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:48pmA lefty finally “takes one” for his insults.
There is a God!
Report Post »dlmcilvain
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:42pmI live just south of Madison and Sly is no newcomer as a dirtbag. This is a regular state of mind for him. I doubt that his appology is serious. Sadly, most in Madison are on his side on this. This why we call Madison “30 square miles of fantasy surrounded by reality”.
Report Post »Dutch1949
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:32pmAs usual, this lame stream media personality exhibits his credentials as a liberal talk show host. No class…no character… no dignity. What an absolute waist of humanity. Oh…by the way.. this is civil discourse. You probably wouldn’t care to hear my untempered comments!!!!!!!
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:30pmThat is one fat ugly old man
Report Post »neverending
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:25pmWelcome to barry boy’s world of lawlessness, no morals, no decency, no common sense and just outright rude and obnoxious.
Report Post »Neil Mariner
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:19pmThis guys a Liberal therefore, they can’t blame Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin or Rush Limbough. It had to be Nanct Polosy ,Mush mouth Matthews or Wilberless Schultz. Then again it could be those damn Monitors or notes on the desk. We can’t let out Chinees fortune cookies.
Report Post »swega
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:51pmLOL. No, no matter what, it‘s still Beck’s, Palin’s, Bush’s fault.
Report Post »Neil Mariner
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 8:47pmYa you have a point. God forbid if we should hurt the lefts feelings.
Report Post »TXMamaGrizzley
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:16pmRemember Imus got fired for saying “nappy headed ho’s”….always seems to be a double standard.
Report Post »Ok for Michael Vick to get a 2nd chance….but did that teacher who said he would spar or take Obama a few rounds…did he get a 2nd chance???
Ron Staiger
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:15pmA pig is a pig is a pig- even if he’s a lipsticked, Marxist, stupid pig!
Report Post »SND97
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:15pmIf this man knew the feeling when a doctor looks you in the face and says you may have cancer and the emotions that comes with that as I have and the fears and thoughts that come with it, he would know he should resign NOW!
And the company he works for has to have someone that has got cancer or survived it and DEMAND he be FIRED
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:13pmLiberal progressives – another “religion” of peace. At least it’s not as physically violent like the other.
Report Post »Infidel and Proud
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:48pmYet…..
Report Post »Bermuda Onion
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 3:23pmIt’s getting there.
Report Post »Infidel and Proud
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 7:50pmThe ******** are only capable of “talking tough”…they obviously realize that if THEY ever try REAL violence against America and her true, patriotic citizens, the guns, ammo and the knowledge, ability and willingness to use them will overwhelm them in days.
So go ahead lefties, make my day.
Report Post »Whiskey Tango
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:10pmSerious cancer will spread to Wisconsin when they move out of Chicago.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:09pm“Initially, Sylvester’s program director defended the remarks as comedy to WKOW. ‘It was obvious sarcasm and was not intended to be taken literally,’ he said on Tuesday.”
Libs love the term ‘literally’, as if that lets them off the hook. I mean, you can’t take Shakespeare literally, can you? Very little can be taken literally but most everything written or spoken can be taken plainly. Parse words much?
“But on Wednesday, Sylvester said on-air that he sent an apology letter to Kleefisch and admitted his comments ‘might have been a little too crude.’”
When an apology is not a genuine apology. I guess he had a slip of the tongue, eh? Or maybe those offended are simply too thin-skinned?
“’I didn’t need to take it the sexual reference part,’ he said, adding that he was ‘not mocking [Kleefisch's] cancer.’”
I wonder how he’d react to an AIDS joke. Or even one about women.
Welcome to the new civility. Same as the old civility.
Report Post »Whiskey Tango
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:09pmAdd your comments
Report Post »Whiskey Tango
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:07pmSerious cancer will spread to Wisconsin when they start arriving from Chicago.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:38pmThat’s true! She may want to re-think inviting companies from Illinois. They just may transport the disease that is currently running rampant in Illinois politics.
Report Post »338lapua
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:51pmRight now this state needs to gamble. Diamond Jim Doyle (former Governor) WRECKED the private economy over the past 6 years. We need all hands on deck, asap.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:57pm-RightUnite-
Alabama and South Carolina politics says, “hello”
bikerr
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:38pmmiddleclassprophet —-Why don’t you prophesy something just to prove you make sense or truth,Oh wait never mind you tool.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:05pmSomeone needs to tell the fat boy he’s drooling, or was that part of his eighteen meals a day that was sitting on his chin?
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:10pmIt may actually have been both.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:04pmStero-typical liberal talking out his A$$ then making excuses. If a conservative said of any of this he’d be screaming about hate speech. I am wondering though, Did somebody smack him with an ugly stick or was he born with those that look?
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:57pmThe comments were definately mean spirited, but there is nothing there that warrants a news story. If that’s what he thinks then he should say it. I‘d rather have somebody telling me what they think rather than having a secret agenda and pretending to be something they’re not.
His ratings will tell the story if listeners found it appropriate or not.
Report Post »meddlehead
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 4:43pmAgreed. Any person with a mic gets publicity by making lame jokes at the expense of others. The bar is entirely too low these days for what passes as entertainment.
Report Post »ruapt
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 8:30ami’ll second that. whether or not a listener agrees with something that was said, its called “free speech” and i’d rather hear the real opinion instead of a line that some writer made up for ratings purposes and egg shell-walking. you can’t please everyone…
“the constitution doesn’t protect your feelings”
Report Post »kilo62a
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:50pmLiberal: I know what is best for you. Do as I say, not as I do. I thought they were all for a new civility.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:53pmLiberal: “All will be assimulated. Except for myself, I need to lead the rest of you worthless sheep.”
Report Post »One1
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 1:32am@Kil062A… They were never for civility. They hate conservatives so bad that they felt justified in their attempt to destroy us by any means necessary. Their own meaness was not notice by them. They only assume our truth telling was mean. So, by instituting this “civility” joke, their hope was to insnare conservatives. But all it did was trap them. The truth is awesome!
Report Post »ENTITLEMENTSBLOW
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:49pmMean Liberal
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:49pmYikes! And the left wing media is shocked that they are being held to the same nonsense standards that they demand from the right. Don’t look down, I believe you may have just shot yourself in the foot. idiots.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:53pmDo they even have a foot? I thought the moral leg they were standing on had vanished long, long ago along with whatever spine and brains they had, along with a conscience.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:54pmTypical liberal idiot.
Report Post »Curator_JDR
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 12:58pmwhats with these morally decrepit sickos? their idiocy and hypocrisy turns my stomach.
This very funny animated web video exposes the insanity of Progressives in all of their glorious delusion.
http://www.marcrubin.com/hairmerica.ivnu
Report Post »Dale
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:02pmRouge;
Did you just say ‘shoot’. Shame on you.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:04pmI was very impressed by Rebecca Kleefisch’s response. She didn’t get down in the gutter with her detractor and offered some excellent and positive advice to young women. I think she will prove to be a valuable asset to her state.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:06pm-GONESURFING-
No, he is not. Please try not boxing ALL liberals up because of some idiotic things a random radio show host says. There are ignorant left wing goobers just like there are ignorant right wing goobers. That’s a 2 way street.
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:10pm@The Blazers
I am sorry to report once again the counterfeit poster is back; and for this morning he seems to be making me his/her/their favored target to impersonate. I have reported all three of the false posts they have made, and that I have so far found.
Everyone we need to encourage the Blaze to find some way to deal with these fakes, and make sure the posts are from the true sources, not the counterfeiters doing so.
Report Post »lcam67
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:14pmdo as i say not as i do. hypocrites !!!
Report Post »hkyfan36
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:22pm@Cat
Report Post »They forgot to put the link to your art site. Plus there is no humor when they attempt to use your name.
Rowgue
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:24pm@SNOWLEOPARD
It’s not a counterfiet poster. It‘s the website’s terrible code. It sometimes assigns posts made by one person to another persons name. I’ve had several of my comments get posted as if somebody else had made them. I’ve had more than I can count get applied as replies to one comment when I had actually replied to another comment entirely.
The code for this comments section is garbage. That’s the problem.
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:27pm@Rogue (not rowge)
Nice try faker, the stealing of someones name is theft of the highest order; no matter how much fun you may think it is, get out of here and leave the rest of us alone. Enough of the games already.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:34pmApologies to ROUGE I meant the reference of the faker being at Rowge; please pardon my having goofed about this. The counterfeiter is getting me majorly frustrated today. There has to be something the Blaze can do about it.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:37pm@Rouge
My apologies, I mean the counterfeiter comment at Rowgue, not at you.
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:39pmMIDDLECLASS whatever, as a reformed liberal myself I speak from experience. I came to realize that everything I knew, or thought I knew in my youth was wrong and became more conservative. I used to think of myself as a commie, what an idiot I was. I think Winston Churchill said it best when he said that those that are not liberal at 20 don’t have a heart, and those that are not conservatives at 40 don’t have a brain. If you are under 40 then I understand.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:40pmCongratulations to Ms. Kleefisch for taking the high road. Mr. Sylvester, you should be ashamed of yourself!
I’m tired of hearing the Bill Maher defense, “it is humor”, defending someone when they make comments like this. If those on the right are going to have their feet held to the fire for things they say, write and do, by the left, then those on the left need to lead by example.
You can’t say our actions play a part in an incident like out west then say, write and do things that are worse than what you rail against. It is called hypocrisy!
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:44pmA great example of the kind of people libs are.
Report Post »http://guerillatics.com
lcam67
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:45pm@ snowleopard
Report Post »we know when you post . because it has meaning and substance.. hang in there.
snowleopard3200
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:48pm@Lcam67
No, it is done. Enough is enough.
Snowleopard3200
Report Post »Signing off.
338lapua
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:54pmMrs Kleefish is a class act…and a true conservative. We, for once, are proud of our Lt. Gov. Sly….can take his “apology” and well, just leave it at that.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:55pmFree speech is free speech, even when it’s stupid & classless!
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 1:56pm-GONESURFING-
Over 40, with a heart and a brain. I think your level of understanding and acceptance is ‘gonefishing.’
jgeezy
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 2:49pmWhat? A liberal again? But I thought…or was told….that only conservatives say mean things. What is going on.
http://practicalpolitician.wordpress.com/
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 3:07pm@ MIDDLECLASSPROPHET
Report Post »Spoken like a true goober….
CatB
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 3:24pmThey scream for “civility” and then put this cr*p over the airwaves? Wow … but I don’t want to censor anyone .. let people see who they are!
Civility is the NEW word for Censorship!
Report Post »FreedomFighter2006
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 3:38pmThis doesn’t suprize me at all…
Report Post »MsMonsoon
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 3:44pmStupid is as stupid does… so says Forest Gump.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:24pm@SNOWLEOPARD
I don’t get the comment directed at me. I agree with you most of the time. I even came to your defense when morons were telling you to stop putting your art link in your posts and childishly making fun of your art.
I simply offered an explanation for what is happening with the mysterious posts. It‘s a fact that comments by one person sometimes get listed under somebody else’s name. I’ve seen it happen to several of my own posts.
It’s possible that somebody could be impersonating you, but it‘s much more likely that it’s just the horribly coded commenting feature. Someone would have either had to get your login information by tricking you into installing a keylogger or hacking the website itself in order to intentionally post under your screen name. If somebody actually hacked the site they would be doing something far more destructive than posing as another person in the comments section.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 5:48pm@Rowgue
My appologies, I will not make any excuses – I thought the counterfeiter of this morning may have been imitating you, yet I still have to own up to my wrong posting directed at you; so I blew it and I will own it, please accept my apology and I will try to do better in the future.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 6:39pmNo worries. Water under the bridge.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on January 21, 2011 at 8:30pmThank you dumb-liberal-radio-talkshow-host! Until today, I’d never even heard of Rebecca Kleefisch! And I just have to give you a BIG ‘thank you!’ for introducing her to me today.
She is yet another beautiful, smart, solid, successful and gracious conservative woman, and she is right up there with Bachman, Palin, and the others who drive your ilk totally, and I mean TOTALLY, around the bend!
I would love to see these strong, very impressive women do an event together which will be broadcast nationally. And I would relish sitting back just knowing that all your liberal heads would just explode as a result.
Report Post »*************************
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 2:53amWhen Obama‘s BOTTOM UP communist revolutionaries can’t find “hate speech” in ordinary patriotic Americans, they must create “the crisis” themselves for Obama’s TOP DOWN communist revolutionaries to take over the air waves. Stay focused, people! Control of free political speech is their goal.
“Unfortunately there is one thing standing between me and that property … the rightful owners.” -Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »Sam I am
Posted on January 22, 2011 at 9:05amHey, there’s an opening at MSNBC! This guy is perfect!
Report Post »