Kimmel Refuses to Apologize or Correct the Record

 

Jimmy Kimmel’s “apology” show, after his brief suspension, was not an apology. He did not admit he had said anything wrong. He lied about the initial lie. And he maintained that Christians must forgive him anyway.

This cannot stand. This makes it an imperative matter of principle to condemn his behaviour as severely as possible.

This is not to say that Brendan Carr and the FTC should step in and pull licenses, or threaten to. Although there is an argument for this, since the airwaves are a public trust. This would not be, moreover, a matter of cancelling someone for their opinions. 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 a lie, and with the intent to slander his political opponents. That is not fair game. Nevertheless, it is unwise to set this precedent.

On the other hand, it is also not enough just to boycott, to resolve not to watch Kimmel anymore. Who watches him now anyway?

It is not enough to boycott ABC. Who watches it now anyway?

It is not enough to boycott Disney, the parent company. Most on the right are already boycotting. Most are not very interested in watching anything from Disney now anyway.

If lack of viewership were enough to get Kimmel cancelled, he should have been cancelled by now.

He has been propped up this long because the left have claimed for themselves the moral high ground.

What we need is a moral appeal, an appeal to conscience, an “appeal to heaven.” Every decent person who has voice must publicly condemn his behaviour. Those who do not have any public platform can at least write in to their local ABC affiliate, if in the US, write to his advertisers, and express their ire. Those watching online can put comments on videos. Express clearly that his apology is not acceptable.

This is not, and need not be, a call for cancellation. If Kimmel were even now to admit wrongdoing, apologize, correct his initial statement, and pledge to avoid such partisanship in the future, we could and should forgive. I would certainly be ready to. But he has now publicly refused to do so.

Just as souls choose Hell rather than admit their sins, Kimmel has chosen his fate.