I don't often post Jon Stewart monologues, because about half of the readers here don't like him, while the other half probably watch or DVR every program. But this episode is one I want to store for possible reference in the future. Salon posted this in paired clips; the second one is the more salient of the two.
Do you think that half your readers dislike Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, and George Carlin? I'm surprised that folks of such a mindset would follow a blog that seeks interesting perspectives and unexpected truths.
ReplyDeleteOh well, maybe if they follow long enough they'll catch on.
BJN, there's a tremendously wide split of viewpoints of readers here, based on the results of the Pew poll I posted last year (which I should redo...)
ReplyDelete...and a third half live in places where they can't view the videos.
ReplyDelete(Not that we lose anything by your posting them.)
Confessional:
ReplyDeleteI'm a conservative mostly Republican voter. Rand and Ron Paul usually make me squirm like the odd uncle at the Christmas party.
And then they have these moments of lucidity where I think, "Why are they the only ones noticing this?"
And to add to Brad's point... not only must we wonder why the Pauls are the only ones noticing this, but why is Jon Stewart the only one talking about it?
ReplyDelete"Hmm, more than seven days of food makes me a terror suspect," I thought to myself as I glanced at the box of emergency MREs I keep in the house because I grew up, and still live, in earthquake country.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, aren't Mormons supposed to keep a year's worth of food on hand? Is this a back-door way of getting rid of Mitt Romney if he gets the GOP nod?
Jon Stewart drives me up the wall 90% of the time and I still DVR every episode just for the 10% like this. Also, his in-depth interviews (i.e. with John Yoo) are unparalleled today in journalism.
ReplyDeletewhat really has me worried (as a non-American) is the way the Audience is laughing at these pronouncements. In the words of a local band: "This is Serious, Mum!"
ReplyDeleteJen, you probably know that he is a comedian, not a political commentator. He does use the position to speak truth to power (though the relevant power people probably aren't watching). Part of the laughter is at the absurdity of the political shenanigans; I don't think it can be viewed as "acceptance" of the injustices.
ReplyDeleteGive Mark Udall some credit along with the Pauls. There are concerned people in both parties. This is very serious stuff, politically and economically... Excuse me, I stuttered.
ReplyDeleteThe Pauls are the only ones really squirming about this, which is a good show on their part.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Rand is also a misogynistic halfwit and Ron doesn't buy into evolution.
The wonderful strangeness of the human mind.
Am I wrong to be encouraged by the fact that conservative, mostly republican voters, viewers that don't necessarily like Jon Stewart and and readers with a tremendously wide split of viewpoints agree that our political leaders of both parties have, for some reason, completely forgotten their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution?
ReplyDeleteAnd they are all listening to the court jester who coincidently is our only remaining real journalist? Is there finally hope the people are putting aside their silly differences over unsolvable constitutionally protected personal choices and uniting in the face of a common enemy, *ANY* politician? PLEASE tell me it's so!
A humorous view of politics that shows bias and injustice should never be rejected.It took me a bit to find a feed that would show the clips but they show clearly an interesting view of the issues. Open debate is fundamentally important in any culture that feels fee speech is worth protecting. Sometime humor is what it takes to make it palatable.
ReplyDeleteLove the site.
I like John Stewart, he's in fact one of the only shows I watch now.
ReplyDeleteAny society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. - Benjamin Franklin
ReplyDeleteIf I were Obama (he say's he'll veto it) I would sign the legislation and then immediately use it to lock up 10 people who obviously have nothing to do with Al Qaeda (Rush Limbaugh, Tim Pawlenty, Harry Belafonte, the Bishop of Hartford, et cetera) and then ask Congress if they really meant to give him that kind of power.
@Bub:
ReplyDeleteNormally I'd say that is a brilliant idea but, most likely what would happen is they'd go "we should have known better to pass this with him as president", repeal it, wait until a republican becomes president, then pass it again since he's "the right man for the job."
- I wish I could just call myself cynical... but you know it would happen.