Boston Mayor Slams Bill Maher for Outrageous Marathon Bombing Comments

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has joined a chorus of critics outraged at Bill Maher, host of HBO's provocative "Real Time" talk show, for comments he made about the Boston Marathon bombings.

AP

"It was, again, a bad day. Three people died — that's terrible. More were maimed — that's horrible, but unfortunately that happens every day in car accidents and everything else," Maher said during last Friday's show. "I mean, your city was not leveled by Godzilla."

Menino on Thursday became the latest to hit Maher for his remarks.

(Image source: WCVB-TV)

“It’s very irresponsible,” Menino told WBZ-TV in Boston. “I think he should be taken to task for that.”

The mayor also called HBO irresponsible for airing the show, WBZ reported.

“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about," Menino said. "Come to Boston, visit Boston and see what a strong city we are."

Boston comic Steve Sweeney also deeply criticized Maher.

"That's awful, that's really awful," Sweeney told WCVB-TV. "'Bad day'? Is he kidding? You know how many people were traumatized by that? You don't talk about abortion, you don't talk about 9/11, and you don't talk about the marathon bombing."

"I was appalled and disgusted," Sweeney added. "I know Bill Maher. He's a good guy. He was going for a joke that didn't work. I think he would take it back if he could."

Others have taken to Twitter to urge HBO to fire Maher, WCVB reported.

One of the first to come to Boston's defense was disgraced ex-New York congressman Anthony Weiner, who was sitting next to Maher when the host made the crack during a discussion about the Red Sox World Series trophy being placed at the marathon finish line.

"What's wrong with you?" Weiner retorted. "It was a nice moment."

Red Sox players stood alongside the trophy, which was draped in a "Boston Strong" jersey, while the crowd sang "God Bless America."

Here are Maher's initial comments:

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