On Friday's episode of "Real Time", Bill Maher gave Rand Paul credit for drawing attention to the U.S. drone program, but criticized him for perpetuating the idea that casualties of drone strikes are only a problem if it's Americans being killed.
Discussing the issue at length with his panel, including Arianna, Michael Steele, Avik Roy and David Cross, Maher went on to say that not all drone strikes are bad. "I mean, some people do need killing. It's like what I say about the death penalty, let's just kill the right people."
Arianna pointed out the hypocrisy of the Obama administration in its lack of transparency with who and what poses an imminent threat. "It's like saying, 'Trust us, we're good people, we're not the Bush White House. Trust us, we're not going to kill any good people. They are killing good people, they're killing civilians again and again."
But Maher was quick to reply, "Yeah, but you know what, if you were president you would do the same thing. Once you get to be president, they take you into a little room and they tell you about all the bad guys in the world that you and I don't know about and that's your chief job, to protect people. I know it's bad and we do bad things, but it's a bad world."
Watch the clip above and let us know what you think. Are progressives making too many apologies for the Obama administration's use of drones, and are Americans generally apathetic when it comes to civilian deaths in other countries?
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Donald Trump
In his most recent feud, Donald Trump is suing Bill Maher for $5 million after the comedian joked on "The Tonight Show" that he would give Trump the sum if he proved his father wasn't an ape. Recently on 'Fox & Friends," Trump said, "<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/donald-trump-to-sue-bill-maher-after-bet-feud-87125.html#ixzz2Jwt52Wjt">He promised me $5 million for charity if I provided certain information</a>. Well, I provided the information. He didn't pay. So today I sue Bill Maher for $5 million for charity.'
Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin is no stranger to Bill Maher's antics. Many believed, however, that he had taken a joke too far during a stand-up routine in 2011 in which he called her a <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/newcs/politics/bill-maher-calling-sarah-palin-c-totally-limbaugh-calling-sandra-fluke-slut-article-1.1039705">"c---" and a "dumb twat."</a> He later defended his viewpoint when media compared his remarks against Rush Limbaugh's use of the word "slut" when describing Sandra Fluke.
Wayne Brady
This July, Wayne Brady went on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LpGgQX9frSY">Aisha Tyler's podcast</a> to discuss his disapproval of Bill Maher's description of President Obama as "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/wayne-brady-ill-gladly-slap-shit-bill-maher-obama_n_1659234.html">Your Wayne Brady</a>," saying he would "Slap the sh*t" out of the comedian.
Ann Romney
Bill Maher faced bipartisan criticism this past election season when he not only agreed with Hilary Rosen's statement that Ann Romney, "has never worked a day in her life," but furthered it by saying that Rosen meant to say Romney, "<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/bill-maher-defends-hilary-rosen-ann-romney-remark-article-1.1061965">has never gotten her a** out of the house to work."</a>
Rush Limbaugh
After Rush Limbaugh faced extreme criticism in regards to his disparaging comments about Sandra Fluke in March 2012, Maher received criticism, from both sides, for his defensive remark stating, "I don't like it that people are made to disappear when they say [...] something you don't like. That's America. Sometimes you're made to feel uncomfortable, okay?" But this comment was clearly not meant to be taken as reconciliatory, as Maher called Limbaugh a <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2012/03/10/bill-maher-rush-limbaughs-stupid-fat-f-k-who-s-not-funny">"fat f**ck, whose not funny"</a>, immediately after.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Earlier this year. Bill Maher was confronted by Elisabeth Hasselbeck on <em>The View </em>over his joke involving herself and Lara Logan. Watch their heated exchange here.
Bill Maher Takes On Dinesh D'Souza Over Anti-Obama Documentary 2016
On his show this September, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09i2YvLPZuE">Bill Maher squared off with Dinesh D'Souza</a>, the face of a new anti-Obama documentary. Maher challenged D'Souza's claims that Obama holds anti-colonial, anti-capitalist views that he inherited from his father, argued that the policies Obama has implemented have not been as radical as Republicans have made them out to be, and even confronted D'Souza over the controversial comments that got him fired from ABC ten years ago, which were set off by comments D'Souza made on Politically Incorrect.
Michele Bachmann
In March 2011, Bill Maher joked about Michele Bachmann's attempt to run for president by attacking her intelligence and religious beliefs. Maher was criticized when Marc Maron appeared on his show and discussed sex between Michele Bachmann and her husband, saying, <a href="http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-panel-hits-new-low-with-talk-of-hard-fking-michele-bachmann-and-rick-santorum/">"I hope [he] takes all that rage that comes from repression and denial into the bedroom with her'and I hope he f**ks her angrily, because that's how I would.'</a>
Rick Santorum
In March, 2012 Bill Maher incited a feud with Rick Santorum when his remarks condemning Christian homeschooling hit too close to home for the GOP presidential candidate, who is a firm believer. In response, Santorum said, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/03/bill-maher-irks-rick-santorum-by-comparing-christian-homeschoolding-to-madrassa/">"Our children will out-reason him. My 12-year-old will out-reason Bill Maher when it comes to understanding how logic works, 'cause [Maher] is completely illogical.'</a>
Christine O'Donnell
In 2010, Maher caused a PR disaster for Delaware Sentate hopeful Christine O'Donnell by saying that she dabbled in witchcraft. Maher later apologized for "making her life hell" and said, "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/08/christine-o-donnell-bill-maher_n_1867137.html">I don't agree with your ideas but it shouldn't have hung on that stupid witch thing</a>," Maher said.
Ann Coulter
Ann Coulter and Maher continually fight over their differing idealogies. When she appeared on <em>Real Time</em> this past October, it was no different. Watch the clip to see the two argue over racism, President Obama and Mitt Romney.
Bill O'Reilly
Despite their opposing viewpoints, Bill Maher is a frequent guest on O'Reilly's Fox News Program. In this segment taking place on September, 2010, the two argue about Obama, the tea party, and left wing extremism.
Tina Brown
In Oct. 2012, Maher and <em>Newsweek's</em> editor-in-chief, Tina Brown, got into a twitter battle after the magazine released an issue with the cover "Heaven Is Real."
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