MEDIA AND CULTURE  
Editor & Publisher / By Greg Mitchell
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 209

Colbert Shocks the Media Silent

The same media that's trashing Stephen Colbert gave a pass to Bush's jokes about missing WMDs in Iraq two years earlier.
May 4, 2006  |  
 
 
LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?
Join our mailing list:

Sign up to stay up to date on the latest Media and Culture headlines via email.

 
 
Advertisement
 
For days the battle has raged on the Web: Did Stephen Colbert go too far in lampooning President Bush, to his face, at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night? Is that why his barbs did not generate more laughter around the room of 2700 journalists, celebrities and other guests? Or was it because he suggested the press was spineless in failing to confront the president on Iraq? Or was Colbert just not that funny? [VIDEO]

In any case, the event has inspired debate on hundreds of political and media blogs, the posting of the video on dozens of sites, and massive traffic to E&P, where the first in-depth account of Colbert's performance was posted Saturday night.

You'd think from all the criiticism that the guy had based his routine on joking about launching a war and not finding the WMDs that inspired it. Oh, right, that was President Bush, two years ago.

Nevertheless, Dana Milbank of The Washington Post, appearing on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC program Monday night, joined the ranks of those who attended the dinner who felt Colbert "was not funny." On the other hand, he said the president's routine that night with a Bush impersonator was a howl.

This is the same Milbank who last June mocked a congressional forum on the Downing Street memo, and said it was led by a "hearty band of playmates."

Certainly, deciding what's funny is subjective, sometimes a matter of taste (or tastelessness), but increasingly, also, partisan. We bring our politics to everything nowadays, although some may be more open to good satire than others, even when someone on "your side" is hit.

Still, with the knocks on Colbert increasing, I have to ask: Where was the outrage when President Bush made fun of not finding those pesky WMDs at a very similar media dinner -- in the same ballroom -- two years ago? It represents a shameful episode for the American media, and presidency, yet is rarely mentioned today.

It occurred on March 24, 2004. The setting: The 60th annual black-tie dinner of the Radio and Television Correspondents Association (with many print journalists there as guests) at the Washington Hilton. On the menu: surf and turf. Attendance: 1,500. The main speaker: President George W. Bush, one year into the Iraq war, with 500 Americans already dead.

President Bush, as usual at such gatherings of journalists, poked fun at himself. Audiences love to laugh along with, rather than at, a president, for a change. It shows they are good sports, which many people (including the president) often doubt. It's all in good fun, except when it's in bad fun, such as on that night in March 2004.

That night, in the middle of his stand-up routine before the (perhaps tipsy) journos, Bush showed on a screen behind him some candid on-the-job photos of himself. One featured him gazing out a window, as Bush narrated, smiling: "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere."

According to the transcript this was greeted with "laughter and applause" from the audience.

A few seconds later, he was shown looking under papers, behind drapes, and even under his desk, with this narration: "Nope, no weapons over there" (met with more "laughter and applause"), and then "Maybe under here?" (just "laughter" this time). Still searching, he settled for finding a photo revealing the Skull and Bones secret signal.

There is no record of whether Dana Milbank attended that dinner, but his paper the following day seemed to find this something of a howl. Jennifer Frey's report, carried on the front page of the Style section (under the headline, "George Bush, Entertainer in Chief"), led with Donald Trump's appearance, and mentioned without comment Bush's "recurring joke" of searching for the WMDs.

The Associated Press review was equally jovial: "President Bush poked fun at his staff, his Democratic challenger and himself Wednesday night at a black-tie dinner where he hobnobbed with the news media." In fact, it is hard to find any immediate account of the affair that raised questions over the president's slide show. Many noted that the WMD jokes were met with general and loud laughter.

The reporters covering the gala were apparently as swept away with laughter as the guests. One of the few attendees to criticize the president's gag, David Corn of The Nation, said he heard not a single complaint from his colleagues at the after-party. Corn wondered if they would have laughed if President Reagan, following the truck bombing of our Marines barracks in Beirut, which killed 241, had said at a similar dinner: "Guess we forgot to put in a stop light."

The backlash only appeared a day or two later, and not, by and large, emerging from the media, but from Democrats and some Iraq veterans. Then it was mainly forgotten. I never understood why Sen. John Kerry did not air a tape of the episode every day during his hapless final drive for the White House.

In any case, another 1,900 Americans have died in Iraq since Bush's ha-ha home video. As it happens, the Downing Street memo, and a similar British document that surfaced recently, suggested that Bush doubted WMDs existed and "fixed" the intelligence to take the nation to war. What a riot.

At that same Downing Street memo forum at the Capitol last year that Milbank mocked, former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, after cataloguing the bogus Bush case for WMDs and the Iraqi threat, looked out at the cameras and notepads, mentioned the March 24, 2004 dinner, and acted out the president looking under papers and table for those missing WMDs. "And the media was all yucking it up ... hahaha," McGovern said. "You all laughed with him, folks." Then he mentioned soldiers who had died "after that big joke."

Dana Milbank, who seems to like a good laugh, did not mention this in his hit piece the following day.

  • 1
View as a single page
 
Greg Mitchell is editor of E&P and author of seven books on politics and history.
Email
Print
Share
Post on reddit
Post on stumbleupon
Post on facebook
Post on digg
Post on twitter
Post on delicious
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Stay up to date with the latest Media and Culture headlines via email

comments COMMENTS ( 209 )
READ COMMENTS
LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST A COMMENT
 

Comments are closed-

Absolutely
[Report this comment]
Posted by: nbrown on May 4, 2006 12:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well said.

The corporate media has given Bush a free pass on Iraq. Most of the major papers endorsed the Iraq invasion (NYTimes, Wash Post, etc.) and continue to support the occupation.

And even on the sick matter of "joking" that there were no WMD in Iraq, the media gave Bush a huge thumb's up.

But let's be clear about one thing: Bush wasn't merely "poking fun" at himself two years ago when joking about WMD. He was pulling a Bill Clinton, letting criticism bounce off of him as if he were made of rubber.

With American politics being purely about image, it's a great trick to pull. The effect was to convince his base that it "didn't matter" that there were no WMD in Iraq.

But back to the point, good work!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Absolutely Posted by: mazel
» RE: Absolutely Posted by: nbrown

Comments are closed-

What a riot.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RoffleTheWaffle on May 4, 2006 1:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's nice to know that war has become such a joke to this clown. Of course, you can't possibly expect him to take this matter seriously, considering that in his mind's eye, he's just playing war with his daddy's toys.

What a fucking disgrace. Bush and his ship of fools don't deserve to even so much as set foot on American soil, much less run our country. Poking fun at a war in which thousands have died, laughing about the very mountain of lies he created to bring the war to pass... It only goes to show just how morally bankrupt this man is. It's a good thing to have a sense of humor, but for him of all people to joke around like that is just sickening.

Outrage aside, though, nice article. Also, I don't care if Colbert was out of line when he mopped the floor with the President. It needed to be said.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What a riot. Posted by: mcartri

Comments are closed-

He praised him
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Prismagirl3 on May 4, 2006 1:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It was a once in a life time chance. Honestly what would you expect him to do? Praise the President? Wait he did that.....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: And Jonathan Swift ate babies! Posted by: Samantha Vimes

Comments are closed-

The press is REPUBLICAN
[Report this comment]
Posted by: helen_0f_romford on May 4, 2006 2:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Nothing will change whilst well-paid newspaper columnists continue to believe that it is their job to be partizan propagandists for the Republican party.

This isn't about deference to the office of President, I don't remember any shown to Clinton whose offences in office were trivial compared alongside Bush. It is about traditional media, both print and broadcast, who only understand fairness and balance as meaning the promotion of right-wing ideologies.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

not funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mokidugway on May 4, 2006 2:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I define Bush by two public performances.

One is his press dinner spoof about wmds.

The other is the interview with Tucker Carlson in wihch Bush mocked the death-row pleas for clemency of fellow born-again Karla Faye Tucker.

People die at his orders, and Bush laughs. Not in private, but to the press. Moreover, few Americans seem to notice or care. And don't just blame the press. Both incidents were widely reported; the former aired on television.

It's absolutely chilling on so many levels.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: not funny Posted by: anothername
» RE: not funny Posted by: caitlin
» wow Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: wow Posted by: mokidugway
» RE: not funny Posted by: peacefulaim
» RE: not funny Posted by: American Reflections
» RE: not funny Posted by: mokidugway

Comments are closed-

More pro-Bush propaganda from E&P
[Report this comment]
Posted by: IntnsRed on May 4, 2006 3:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As paid-up, big business members of the ruling class, the corporate mass media overall has been a huge advocate of Bush. If it were not for the media's cheerleading, Bush's election thefts would be common knowledge, his illegal invasion of Iraq would never have happened, we would have had a "real" investigation of 9/11, social security's potential evisceration would have been dead at word 1, Bush's tax cuts never would have passed, etc., etc.

Just look at this article. Read the first sentence above.

Instead of reporting the facts -- say, something like "Comedian character Steven Colbert lampooned Bush personally which made the president visibly uncomfortable..." -- what do we have?

Instead of facts we have E&P defining the "acceptable range" of political debate. The article focuses on whether Colbert went overboard in mocking Bush.

The second sentence of the piece works to reinforce this concept by painting Colbert's performance as not funny. (If true, the blunt truth is so new to reporters they're shocked.)

And we're to call that "objective journalism" and cheer?

A long time ago Chomsky wrote bluntly and eloquently about the corporate mass media's role in limiting free speech and enforcing an "acceptable range" of political debate. Like the corporate mass media as a whole, this piece from E&P does that job subtly and well -- to all of our detriment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You totally missed the point Posted by: brunowe

Comments are closed-

yogendra2
[Report this comment]
Posted by: yogendra2 on May 4, 2006 3:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anything that would help George Bush look at how character disordered he is would be a good thing. If George Bush were smart, he could look at Steve Colbert's presentation, look at the things about himself which make him the worst president ever and which make so many people hate him----here and all over the world!----change these character disordered aspects of his personality, and be a better person and BECOME A BETTER PRESIDENT! The only problem with this senario is that persons with severe character disorders got that way because of a defense mechanism called DENIAL. AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE INTENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TO CHANGE. So chances are George Bush will die very, very character disordered and there is no possible way he could change all of his psychological disturbances by the time he leaves office. SO AMERICA WELCOME TO THE REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION. YOGI, TUCSON, AYOGENDRA@YAHOO.COM

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: markusmark
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: yogendra2
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: yogendra2
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: tooldoc60
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: bammylou

Comments are closed-

more progressive/Dem focus on non-issues, same as always
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cry0fan on May 4, 2006 3:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There ya go--keep some rich comedian in the political spotlight instead of spotlighting the real issues of progressive taxation, universal healthcare, labor supply and demand, a stronger social safety nets and more time off for workers.

Pretty soon American voters will think that all that politics is about is just pure partisanship, and that politics has nothing to do with making our lives better by working together to get better lives for the majority by keeping the rich people from getting most of everything.

Of course, the rich people like it JUST FINE the way you PseudoLiberals and the RightWing have set it up to make American politics nothing but pure partisanship. Oh, wait, I forgot, your hero Colbert did bring up maybe TWO real issues. Let's see: THe NSA is spying on us. Oh, yeah, exposing that is almost as good as unversal healthcare. Great catch, there. Oh, and there is a war on. OK, yeah, maybe you have an issue there.

But those are far from the most important issues. I guess Colbert choose those issues to raise because all those other issues are verboten under "progressive" democrat activist theory.

Gee, I cannot figure out for the life of me why Middle Americans prefer to vote GOP.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» cry0fan's broken record Posted by: BKLN
» people are dying Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

DoctorAndy
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DoctorAndy on May 4, 2006 3:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where are these aspiring NeoCons like Milbank hatched?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: DoctorAndy Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Milbank Posted by: henderson
» RE: Milbank Posted by: Rattlesby
» glug glug glug Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: Milbank Posted by: Philne

Comments are closed-

It was aimed over their heads
[Report this comment]
Posted by: timsaward on May 4, 2006 3:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think the point that a lot of the media commentators are missing is that the speech wasn't aimed at making them laugh, it was aimed at making us, the public, laugh both at Bush and at the complacency of the media, whether pro-Bush or otherwise - and aimed at making them uncomfortable on TV. And it succeeded brilliantly.

They didn't laugh because Colbert rather daringly decided not to reassure them with his comedy, but to challenge them.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: It was aimed over their heads Posted by: Steven Wanzell

Comments are closed-

The Truth Hurts
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Nez46 on May 4, 2006 4:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Those who aren't laughing at Colbert's portrayal are the ones who got us into this mess and now must wear the badge of stupidity in public. No one likes being the fool and to have it "IN YOUR FACE" the way Colbert did it really stung down deep.

That being said, regarding the actual piece, I've blogged it, I've talked about it at work and I've replayed it for my Conservative Father in law--the vast majority of folks, including my stuffy ol Pop-in-law, thought it was hilarious.

To those who take offense-get over it, crybabies: Colbert's act was specfreakintacular and those who don't think so can kiss his-and our-royal arses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: outsidea
» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

A Tour de Force
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ljsullivan1166@earthlink.net on May 4, 2006 4:35 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our Royal Court Jester deserves a medal for heroism.

Actually, when I watched Colbert's performance for the third time, I realized that a lot more people were laughing than I had realized at first. They were also amazed. And squirming in their seats. We haven't had a really good Court Jester in ages. The Court Jester was the only one who could get away with ridiculing the King to his face in public; it was his job.

I can't imagine what Mark Smith was thinking when he hired Colbert for that position -- but then, a major problem with a lot of these conservatives is that they don't have much of a sense of humor. He must have thought Colbert was actually a Bush-loving conservative; either that, or Smith has a death wish. It would be interesting to find out.

But I think a lot of the people in that audience actually 'got' Colbert and found his performance as breathtaking as we did; and it is hard to laugh when you are holding your breath. The fact is, he had the guts -- and balls -- and brains -- to say what millions of us would like to say to the Bush gang. What millions of us wish our Representatives and Senators in Congress would say out loud and then do something about it.

And what he had to say to the Washington press about their bootlicking, obsequious attitude toward this puny tin potentate was also right on. And including Helen Thomas in the program was sheer brilliance. About time that intrepid lady got some recognition.

Great satire serves a great purpose and, in this case, a highly patriotic purpose. It unmasks the fakers and reveals them for what they are in reality. Like pulling the curtain away and revealing the Great and Terrible Oz for the deceptive little pipsqueak he actually was. Like revealing that, in fact, the Emperor has no clothes. Once that happens, it becomes much harder to fool the people again. When the Great and Terrible Oz and the naked Emperor are exposed, their power evaporates. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Stonecutter
» rhetorical.. Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: peacefulaim
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Urstrly
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Marvin R
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: 9wicket
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: bschuhle

Comments are closed-

Re: Mark Smith's motives
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ljsullivan1166@earthlink.net on May 4, 2006 4:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I just thought of one more possibility why Mark Smith booked Colbert.

Maybe he is a subversive, and it was a plot; maybe he's on OUR side!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Who IS Mark Smith? Posted by: plantland
» RE: Who IS Mark Smith? Posted by: Scientz

Comments are closed-

Thanks for the reminder
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Catherine a on May 4, 2006 4:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You point out with great clarity how Greg Mitchell's piece in E&P was pre-framed for us. It avoids the important issue--that at last someone dared to speak directly to Bush about the gross incompetence and moral impoverishment of Bush and his administration, and Bush's obvious discomfort. Instead Mitchell's piece focused on unimportant things such as whether or not it was acceptable to talk about the massive failings of this president to his face.

We need to have these things pointed out more often.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Thanks for the reminder Posted by: Catherine a

Comments are closed-

Whorehouse
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tenstring on May 4, 2006 4:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporate media and the Washington power structure are having an orgy in the national whorehouse. Colbert simply used the art of humor to state that truth. Bush and his fellow war criminals are on the greatest crime spree in history, and the corporate media is providing cover for them -- for a slice of the loot. We should all be doing what Colbert did. God bless his pointy little head!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

habrenda
[Report this comment]
Posted by: habrenda on May 4, 2006 5:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That Bush thought the missing WMD's was something to joke about is not surprising. That he can joke about condemning people to death is also not surprising. As long as he is "fit and trim" as long as he and his friends continue to make lots of money then all is right with the world. Classic sociopathic behavior. What is astonishing and frightening is that the "so-called" journalists continue to go along and support him and his administration. Until this ends and we get truly "fair and honest" reporting we are all just so much fodder and not to be concerned about.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Go after them directly. Posted by: Lauren

Comments are closed-

Political journalists have always craved access to power
[Report this comment]
Posted by: chomsky on May 4, 2006 5:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm not surprised at the press' lasck of response to Colbert. Political journalists (especially those with capital postings) are usually very pliable to those in the corridors of power. They generally look upon themselves as partners with those who govern and feel that their behaviour can affect policy as much as a house vote. They require contacts for their jobs.
Colbert poked fun at all of this. He seems to recognize that the journalists are as culpable for democaratic errors as the policy makers and their wonks.
No wonder no one smiled. The press have ceded part of their job to comedians.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

COMBAT VET THROWS COLBERT A SALUTE.....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kc10ken on May 4, 2006 5:34 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I served over 13 years including 3 tours in the middle east and I am opposed to the war in Iraq.

I though Colbert's performance was LONG OVERDUE. I absolutely LOVED the message he sent to dumbya and he did it in such an hilarious way.

We need more Colbert's to give this human shitwave of an administration a good dose of reality.

Here's a salute to you Steve.......Thanks...from all the Vets who wish they could have said it themselves!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The days of the bards are back
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Yundah on May 4, 2006 5:40 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert's comments at the press dinner remind me of the history of satire among the Irish. Bards were allowed, in fact were encouraged,f to satirize those in power and acted as social conscience for society. They could not be punished for their satire but they also had to take any comments and criticisms that came their way. Colbert is likewise in that position but he can take it, and should be satisfied that he is getting it. It means that he made people uncomfortable, the first step in self-assessment.
Colbert is following in the path of those bards. I hope he continues. I watched the dinner in which Bush "mocked" his own search for WMD's and was appalled that the audience laughed. Bush's blatant attempt at trying to make his lie "better" by admitting it (albeit mockingly) should have been met with the (mostly) silence that Colbert faced.
I think a free press, with rights of satire, is truly what stands between us and tyranny, when it stands between us and tyranny. I have been very disappointed these last six years. Our press needs to do something, play the pipes, break out the Jamesons, pour the Guinness, anything to get them in an Irish Bardic frame of mind. Anything to get their cynicism going.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» End the drug war? Posted by: Lauren
» RE: nd the drug war? Posted by: jeff2045

Comments are closed-

I didn't know
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jrmart66 on May 4, 2006 6:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wow, I didn't even realize there was a "controversy". Hmmm, so satire has a limit? Hmmm. So did I miss something? Was there anything in Colbert's monologue that was based on a LIE?
Hmm.
ah, well, I guess the "liberal" press ain't so liberal after all. About the only one that seemed to have a sense of humor is whats her name, that little old white house correspondent that appeared in the video clip.
It has taken almost a year of the "Colbert Report" for the right wing to finally realize they are the butt. That it is their buffoonery that is being ridiculed. doesn't surprise me.

The REAL JOKE isn't the monologue's the REAL JOKE is the President.
Now, let me see where did I put that passport? I want to go to Canada.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: I didn't know Posted by: gpm
» RE: I didn't know Posted by: churchofone

Comments are closed-

THE SILENT MEDIA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: eileen on May 4, 2006 6:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What Colbert does masterfully is tell the truth.

The truth hurts.

The truth is the Fourth Estate is often biased or just silent about many issues.

WE THE PEOPLE can find the truth if we seek it.

Muckraker's thrive on the Internet not in coorporate controlled airconditioned offices.

Where is the media on the historic FREEDOM OF SPEECH trial in Jerusalem? They are silent,
but Vanunu is not and WAWA has the exclusive
"30 Minutes with Vanunu" available as a FREE download:
http://www.wearewideawake.org

"We have it in our power to change the world."-Tom Paine

But we all have to DO SOMETHING to make it happen.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sophomoric isn't funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Rattlesby on May 4, 2006 6:48 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert is NOT that funny to a lot of us out here in the real world.
I admire his courage, and I agree with his purpose. But it was embarrassing, sort of adolescent humor, and I was not laughing very much. Yes, I hate everything about this President, and I grieve over the losses this country has suffered under this Bush regime. But don't be afraid to face facts -- people laugh when they think something is funny, and this routine, done by a truly likeable, intelligent guy, bombed.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It doesn't meant to be funny Posted by: Brucewxx
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Mutternich
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Elmowilcox
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: zedaker
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Mutternich
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: churchofone
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

Everything I needed I learned in.....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: fpitz on May 4, 2006 6:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hello all,
We can debate this back and forth forever, with 100 differing dialectical screeds. Colbert spoke for a hell of a lot of us when he ripped Bush (figuratively). Now, if only we could find someone to rip Bush (literally).
For this radical (68 year old), the debate boils down to rather simple terms instead of all the psuedo-intellectual liberal bullshit. Mom taught me a a damn young age folks, you got to give respect to get respect. Bush's Mom never taught him that, ergo all this crap about "respect" for the presidency, and "acceptable ranges" (of critique) are just that, CRAP. Bush has never given respect to anyone in his miserable, failed life, why should we offer him any respect? He's the president of the most hated country in the world, how in the hell can anyone respect him - or the office that he has so corrupted.
Same goes for the media folks, why should anyone respect, or pay attention to the media presstitutes?
Frank

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Ruling Elite vs. Main Stream Media
[Report this comment]
Posted by: douglashoyt on May 4, 2006 6:55 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article made good points.

However, the "truth" is that the MSM and the ruling elite are the same group. Both have a controlling interest in world domination. The corporate energy section of the ruling elite wish to control the oil in Iraq; the MSM section wish to control what, how, why, when, where, and who of the American world view.

So it is not surprising that the MSM should not critize Mr. Bush or his policies.

The self styled journalist at that party have all been picked to think and act in a supportive manner towards the other sections of the ruling elite.

In other words, it is a conspiracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Touche Frank, Bush as big-time loser h.s. coach is funny!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Pete123 on May 4, 2006 6:57 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have all become familiar with the notion of president as cheerleader thanks to President Reagan. I think the service provided by Colbert's monologue/diatribe is to nudge the historians in the direction of writing about the president of the United States as coach. Now that I have watched and reread Colbert's speech and delivery, and taken in Frank's comments above, I somehow see my high school football coach in Pres. Bush as the big-timer loser high school coach is funny!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

WTF?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LMNOP on May 4, 2006 6:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What did the morons think was going to happen when they invited someone who makes a living mocking politics and politicians and who has always been an outspoken critic of the president and who flaunts decorum daily? Have they never seen a roast before. That is what that event was, a roast, with Bush reportedly making fun of himself and with a series of comedic speakers coming to the dais to joke about the people present.

This was just another intelligence failure and some more incompetence from the administration. Only these assclown fucktards could make such an eggregious error.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Hero
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Elmowilcox on May 4, 2006 7:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Is there any other way to really describe Colbert than to say that he's one of the few heroes we have to look to(if not the only one at this point)? He said all the things noone else will ever have the chance to scream in the President's face(I picture myself yelling with spit flying all over the sorry son of a...), and I commend him for it. It was a very brave, very American act, and I praise him for it. Steve's opponents are just conflicted that they don't have the huevos to speak their minds, as they are all more interested in retaining their jobs than actually doing thier jobs. If only we had a lot more Colberts in the media something might actually get done in this country.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Hero Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

NOT "Funny"!?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bamage on May 4, 2006 7:17 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Come ON, people! "Rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg"... That's FUNNY! There were at least several laugh-out-loud moments for anyone not wholly lacking a sense of irony. Not to mention the brilliant "ballsolicious" (to quote JS) cumulative effect of his act. Open wide, baby birds...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: fanny666
» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: jimidee
» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: giles

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT (what else)
[Report this comment]
Posted by: VZEQICVA on May 4, 2006 7:27 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do the planners of this event line up people like Al Franken, Don Imus or Stephen Colbert and then respond the next day with outrage. It's hard enough to be funny. But lying at the same time is impossible. What was Colbert supposed to say ? Next time hire a neocon comic. First they'll have to find one. It is not in the nature of a self righteous conservative to be funny and sharp. They don't get it. Ever.
Thank you Stephen. Well Done! (from ANNA)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The subserviant mainstream press is being replaced as we write
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dmstern on May 4, 2006 7:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The internet is officially taking over mainstream media as we all write. Colbert's speech was, and remains, big news. The mainstream press completely missed the scoop...and they were all sitting there when it happened!!! To ignore this story has awakened America to how asleep at the wheel all the authority figures are. Like during Katrina, when it took Geraldo Rivera begging Bill O'Reilly to do something on day 5 of the crisis before any of these turkeys stopped sleepwalking. Geraldo for gods sakes! Our last hope.

The embedded cozy reporting of DC is creating a massive need for information. The internet is filling that need.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Our 4th Estate is Corrupt
[Report this comment]
Posted by: supercrisp on May 4, 2006 7:37 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We deserve better than the media we have. We could blame deregulation that killed off competition in that market, or we could blame the schools, or we could blame the personalities. Since I’m at a school (an R1 institution), I’ll say that I’m disheartened to see Journalism students being taught how to market themselves and how to make a paper look like US Today when there are more important issues. I’ve tutored j-school majors in their senior year who were ignorant of major global issues, world history, and world geography. I actually got a blank look from a young woman in j-school when I mentioned Walter frikking Lippman. She was pretty and was applying for jobs interning at TV stations; she plans to join TV’s blonde sisterhood.

(Hell, I recently met a graduate student newly admitted into the geography department on a PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIP who didn’t know where Madagascar was.)

In general, American standards for knowledge and truth are in the toilet, and making a buck and getting your way in life are sitting on the throne. In my opinion, we need to start from the ground up, teaching our children values and educating them, while at the same time we try to role back the deregudamage done to our way of life and the defunding of our institutions that create that way of life. Oh yeah, and get these fundy know-nothings the hell out of office.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Our 4th Estate is Corrupt Posted by: Tdstreet

Comments are closed-

The Press and Government shouldn't be BEDFELLOWS!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jreinhart1 on May 4, 2006 7:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert told it like it is and the press couldn't handle it. That is the big news of the year so far. Our free press is bought and paid for to pimp for our government rather than investigate it and keep it honest and keep Americans informed.

The "Press" is the most pathetic group of shills that form a group of entertainment news that has been formed by focus groups to tell the people what they want to hear. Colbert's roasting of the White House is the best real satire and the most news worthy exercise of freedom of the press since John Stewart skewered the CNN wingnuts on Crossfire.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Why laugh at the truth?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Pippi on May 4, 2006 7:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do you find the press's reaction incomprehensible? Have they not been resisting the truth for six years? The truth hurts; it doesn't elicit laughter. I'd like to hear Colbert's reaction; I bet he wasn't surprised at all that few in that audience found his remarks amusing. I think his message that night was: OK, you boys and girls in the media have been playing the lightweight comics; I'm going to speak the truth to power tonight as you should have been doing for the past six years.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Why laugh at the truth? Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

BLUE IN A VERY RED STATE
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Tdstreet on May 4, 2006 7:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I watched on C-Span and thought that Colbert's comments and skit w/Helen Thomas was priceless and an exercise in courage. I figured it would, as a story either be a big deal in the media or ignored. Predictably it was ignored with the stories showing the Chimp's worthless skit w/the even more worthless Chimp imitator. When Colbert's comments were mentioned in news stories it was "framed" as "did he go too far?" I suppose this is what we can expect when Faux News has become the standard of "journalism." I think all the other news networks take all their cues from Faux. The double standards never cease to amaze me. When Don Imus gave Clinton shit over extra-marital affairs and Whitewater at that same event back in 1996 it was played over and over. The injustice just makes me sick..... Anyway BIG TIME props to Colbert for holding up a mirror to the thieves, whores, cowards and lackeys that call themselves the "press" and our alleged "leaders." I guess when you make those high six and seven figure (and up) incomes you are immune from any sense of shame whatsoever.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

colbert was absolutely hilarious
[Report this comment]
Posted by: zedaker on May 4, 2006 8:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and the ballsiest guy i've seen in washington in years. he was right to take on the press as well as the president. if they had been doing their jobs and asking the questions (and then getting the answers) then they wouldn't have been the targets they were (are). will they learn...i don't think so.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Thank you, Colbert & Mitchell
[Report this comment]
Posted by: whattheheck on May 4, 2006 8:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you, Greg Mitchell. I had forgotten how stupid some of the idiotic things were that King George has said. I guess the past 6 years have been so painful, I have started to numb out just to survive.

You know, I think this whole situation has been just great. Bushy Boy, with all his careful scripting and manipulating to make sure only the best situations are in the camera's lens when he is in the public eye, had the whole thing blow up in his face when a "renegade" -- a real, live person with their own thoughts who wasn't in the back pocket of Bush or Rove -- got placed in the spotlight for 23 minutes and let the truth fly. It is such an unusual situation for this to have happened that it sticks out like a sore thumb. The public has become numb to anyone speaking the truth about Bush (and, the best part, TO HIS FACE), that they are stunned into silence. I really pray for the message to sink in and for the applause to grow louder & louder.

May Colbert & Mitchell be the first of a new wave of those who have the courage to tell the emperor he really is naked.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Stephen Colbert is God!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: woodford54 on May 4, 2006 8:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How much clearer can I make that statement. He did what each and every one of us should be doing utilizing as many forums as we can access. Bravo, Stephen!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Perhaps tipsy???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ghoulman on May 4, 2006 8:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...
That night, in the middle of his stand-up routine before the (perhaps tipsy) journos, ...

Perhaps tipsy. Reporters. Celebrities. Politicians... PERHAPS?!?!?

Journalists are drunkin' bastards to a man. And that's the way I like 'em. I'll take a drunkin' journo over the fearful, balless, faggots who were too scared to laugh at Colberts comedy milestone in the presence of thier Boy Emperor.

Drink up America... it's your salvation, if libation. ;p

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Sparkely Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Sparkely Posted by: Ghoulman
» RE: Perhaps tipsy??? Posted by: insulafortune
» RE: Perhaps tipsy??? Posted by: Ghoulman

Comments are closed-

Read outside the box
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnnyM on May 4, 2006 8:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The "comedians," Stephen Colbert, Al Franken, et al, don't matter.

There's a clear agenda of the white house (the black house as I call it) and these comedians are part of it, whether they know it or not. The mainstream press is owned by a handful of people who have an agenda that clearly reveals itself when you read outside the box. This speech is a distraction, so the freethinkers of the world run to blogs and sites like this to comment without anything really being done!

The issues of the world today are NOT funny. There is nothing funny about starvation, war, nuclear arms, depleted uranium, 911, rigged elections, etc..

Now, get back to fighting for your dignity while you still have it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: ead outside the box Posted by: bg41
» So we are wasting time while Posted by: outsidea

Comments are closed-

The Courage of Colbert
[Report this comment]
Posted by: needlefoot on May 4, 2006 8:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have bent over backwards for so many years to accomodate this president, to overlook his actions, to pretend everything is going just fine when this country is actually in a decline and fall (remember Rome).

Our backs should be aching. Don't you think it is time to stand up, straight and tall, time to stand up with the courage that Colbert shows and do some serious truth-speaking - straight or comedic??

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: The Courage of Colbert Posted by: outsidea
» RE: The Courage of Colbert Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

What was Cheney up to?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: thoughtcriminal on May 4, 2006 8:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert didn't have the opportunity to induce an apopleptic vice presidential heart attack - Cheney was apparently busy preparing for his tour of the Far Eastern oil zones. He is currently lecturing Russia on democratic reforms!. ABC, even. The Moscow Times version is far more informative regarding the oil and gas reserves in the region.

A preoccupation with 'energy security' - like controlling all those oil wells on the southern Iraq-Iran border. Now we have an imperial tour of the old Soviet states for oil concessions - it has such historical flavor. I don't think the czar will be taking him on any hunting trips, however.

The US corporate media can be counted on to do their best to ignore the oil and gas rationale behind Cheney's trip.

Here is a quote from Cheney's speech: "And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements." How can Cheney say this with a straight face?

Rearranging deck chairs on the Hindenburg... that's funny.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert was screamingly funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: pogo on May 4, 2006 8:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert was screamingly funny. Everyone I've showed the video to has almost fallen off their chairs laughing. I don't know what "real world" you're living in, Mr Rattlesby, but it is apparently not the same 'real world' as the rest of us. Colbert's performance was not only extremely funny, it was the most ballsy thing I've seen anyone on the mainstream media do in ages. The reason the Washington correspondents didn't laugh quite so hard is that he was calling them out for being the castrati that they are.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Press failed to declare emperor naked
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Mike Turnauer, Vancouver,WA on May 4, 2006 9:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Greg, that Bush's 2004 performance was so well received where Colbert somehow crossed the line is all we need to know about this flaccid press corp. Mr. Colbert's roast was absolutely brilliant and, while not without laugh-out-loud moments, the humor is outweighed by the poignancy of the truth Colbert speaks while in character.

I can see why members of the press were uncomfortable that Colbert basically told them (there was nothing suggestive about it) that not only was the emperor butt naked but this press corp watched him strip down to his birthday suit and a precious few among them dared to suggest that something might be amiss. Colbert declared them guilty of derilection of duty and deep down (or maybe not so deep down) they know he's right.

Take Colbert's zinger about Bush believing the same thing on Wednesday that he does on Monday no matter what happens on Tuesday. When I first heard this I thought this was a hilarious sendup of Bush's famous stubbornness when it comes to changing his mind on issues. Not so. Al Franken does a great routine on how Bush has flip-flopped on many issues so this is not Colbert perpetuating the canard that Bush never changes his mind. The implication here is much more nefarious, that Bush was hot for Iraq on Monday, September 10, 2001, and no less so on Wednesday, September 12, 2001, when he gave specific orders to Richard Clarke to connect 9/11 to Iraq by any means no matter how flimsy. It speaks volumes to why the prosecution of our justified war on the Taliban in Afghanistan has been so perfunctory and how we're now pulling out many troops while the Taliban is reconstituting and regaining strength there. This is escaping public scrutiny largely due to focus on Iraq. Instead of concentrating on Afghanistan as the focal point of "terrorism" Bush was allowed to create a breeding ground for it in Iraq where it was virtually non-existant.

The press had a chance to stop the madness in Iraq before it started and now they must live with the guilt of their abject failure and its disasterous consequences. Little wonder they are having difficulty finding the humor in being told as much by Colbert.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Press failed to declare emperor naked Posted by: Mike Turnauer, Vancouver,WA

Comments are closed-

TIME lists Colbert among " 100 Most Influential"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: grannyfranny on May 4, 2006 9:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This week's TIME includes Colbert among the most influential entertainers, even though his audience is so much smaller than the large cable channels. I hope those numbers will change, and others can experience this marvel of satire. He is dead-on night after night.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Alternet part of the days long debate
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kamcallen on May 4, 2006 9:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Two articles today from Alternet about Colbert. Apparently, Alternet has nothing more pertinent or timely to discuss than a comedian's remarks that were made 5 days ago. How about some more info on the Immigration Rallies that took palce all over the country this week? Alternet dropped the ball on this one.
Karon

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Satire and public policy
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rgoldfilm on May 4, 2006 9:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Satire is supposed to be funny AND pointed. If you're complaining about "poor taste" about ANY satire, you're on the wrong side of history, and of art. Lenny Bruce, Mark Twain, Jonathan Swift, Gary Trudeau, Country Joe McDonald and any political cartoonist worth his pen, have all been in "bad taste" (to some) when their satire has been the most pointed and memorable. And influential.

Bush looking for WMDs under a desk? Arguably, funny. Who cares that he got a "free pass" for that?

The problem is that he got a free pass for lying, for going to war on false pretenses, for criminal offenses, for screwing the American public, for subverting democracy, for ineptness, for creating havoc in Iraq and the world.

Will he get a free pass on going to war in Iran? If so, that would be in very poor taste. And not very funny.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

clinker
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cottontail on May 4, 2006 9:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Besides the obvious delight in Colbert's comments, watching the presidential lap-dog "journalists" and the rest of the "suck-ass" Washington crowd squirm, was priceless. Thank you, Stephen.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Applaud Truthiness!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: balderkitty on May 4, 2006 10:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert displayed the courage that most journalists lacked: he told truthiness. More importantly, he told the truth directly to the president's lying face.

As the media continues to censure Colbert, and I exempt the courageous Helen Thomas from this comment, then they are more in this administration's pocket then the American public realized.

Apparently, George Clooney's Good Night And Good Luck was more a highly pertient and on-target commentary on the cowardice of today's media and how closely they mirror the fear of the McCarthy era. Where are their ethics to support those who engage in Free Speech?

Colbert has a lot of guts putting out Americans' frustration with this Administration, especially right to George Bush's face. I applaud his courage and now know that our modern-day Edward R. Murrow is satirist Steve Colbert.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Save The Internet
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bodo on May 4, 2006 10:53 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Enjoying yourself on Alternet? Do you like having free speech? Don't take the internet forgranted, its the last free people's avenue of non-kleptocratic dialogue, and it is in serious jeopardy. http://www.savetheinternet.com/

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert 1, Media 0. Bush...-4
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Deke on May 4, 2006 10:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you for having a spine, Stephen Colbert. Something the mainstream media would be better suited to trying to grow, versus making sure their hair looks perfect for the camera.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Where's The Congress?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: skiptowne on May 4, 2006 11:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert showed a lot of guts but he wasn't really that funny because, the truth isn't funny. That's why most were uncomfortable.

Bush is such an easy target but the Congress is equally to blame for the U.S.'s downward spiral.

As an aside, John Kerry and the Democrats have blown it, big time. They had/have so much ammo to use against the neocons. Why is it so hard to tell the truth and present original ideas for these people?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» the democrats problem Posted by: Lauren

Comments are closed-

What did they expect....?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: albiegf13 on May 4, 2006 11:27 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They invited Stephen Colbert for Christ's sake...! Haven't any of these people seen his show....? Are they morons or what....?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What did they expect....? Posted by: tooldoc60

Comments are closed-

NETTIE
[Report this comment]
Posted by: NET on May 4, 2006 12:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN THE FIELD, I NEVER FAIL TO BE AMAZED AT HOW ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDERS GET SO MANY PEOPLE TO SCHILL FOR THEM AND SUPPORT THEM. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE SO GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO....HURTING VULNERABLE BEINGS ,AND, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONSCIENCE TO RESTRAIN THEIR BEHAVIORS. SO, COLBERT, BLESS HIM, SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER (SURPRISE, SURPRISE!) WITH THINLY VEILED HUMOR, AND THE "LIBERAL" MEDIA WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE CAJONES TO TAKE ON THIS ADMINISTRATON, CASTIGATE COLBERT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PEOPLE DEAD IN THE WORLD ARENA THANKS TO THIS PSYCHOPATHIC REGIME...WHO HAVE THE NERVE TO THREATEN TO ANNIHILATE US ALL IN A NUCLEAR DEBACLE BECAUSE IRAN STANDS UP TO US! THEY HAVE NO SHAME, AN ANTI- SOCIAL NEVER DOES.....THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM HAVE BEEN ROYALLY DUPED OR ARE ALSO CHARACTEROLOGICALLY IMPAIRED.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Professor
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sunyc2 on May 4, 2006 1:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who doesn't like John Stewart and Steven Cobert?
Is it possible for a comedian to have a bad night?
Was the video Steven showed at a much higher
humor level than his own live?
Is the President apparently a much better comedian
than a prez? Only a fool would vote for George Jr.
But only someone with a square point would try
to fit it in the round hole. Hey! It's a fact:
the President was much funnier ( with his twin )
than Steven.
Does that mean George is right and Steven is wrong?
Hey? It has nothing to do with it! Hey!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

How does one stand up?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Lauren on May 4, 2006 1:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A thing I noticed in the comments is a wonder of someone willing and able to stand up to the prez. It should be easier.

I had an idea a while back about how to end the drug war. It involves standing up to the prez. I knew the drug war was really about religion and religious freedom. We can sue for that in 'activist courts', but the really effective way to achieve this freedom would be to get the President to grant it to us. That's how one gets things done quickly.

Of course this wasn't going to be very easy with the way President Bush feels about the religious sacrements of the religions involved.

What I have in mind is a petition to the president for our religious freedom. I figured a church and a website would be needed and was blessed to discover the THC Ministry. If you are a sacremental cannabis believer please join our march to freedom.

I figure when we have a million believiers, delivering a petition to the President to grant us our religious freedom and the pardoning of our people should be pretty unignorable. The challenge is getting an audience. I am very proud of prince Stephen. Nice job.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Larry the cable guy says
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jwg on May 4, 2006 2:13 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
'I don't care who you are, that’s funny'. Since this was obviously not the case what is the most concern to me is how intelligent people had so much control not to laugh. When I read the Colbert piece yesterday the people in my office kept asking me what is so funny.

Of course Alternet, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report are my major news sources. When I see Bush now days on the tube I have 'not' whatever he says to get the truth, that or wonder what other story is he obfuscating.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

FWIW
[Report this comment]
Posted by: IntnsRed on May 4, 2006 2:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There's a very insightful article by Chris Dols on the topic of Colbert's appearence here on Counterpunch.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» ****************8 Posted by: decembrist

Comments are closed-

Mishanti
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mishanti2 on May 4, 2006 3:18 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think that the Stephen Colbert speach was wonderful and very true in its "attacks" on the Press and the White House. BUT, I bet he won't get invited to the White House any time in this administration.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

uhh
[Report this comment]
Posted by: nbrown on May 4, 2006 4:21 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I didn't "blame" Bill Clinton for anything.

Read.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Huevos Grandes
[Report this comment]
Posted by: PingoLingo on May 4, 2006 4:38 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Every once in awhile, my faith in humanity and social consciousness is reaffirmed.

Amazing job Stephen, simply amazing....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Did those who invited Colbert know who he was?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: noles1st on May 4, 2006 5:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You will perhaps pardon me for taking exactly the opposite tack as the mainstream media. As Colbert himself would say, "You know, the liberally-biased media, except for Fox."

Did anyone even bother to pay any attention to Colbert's act--did it occur to them that his schtick was all about poking fun at the super-sanctimonious "news men" on the Fox network. "Fair and balanced" my ass is what his entire show was about. He was better at being Bill O'Lielly than Bill was. But it was all mockery.

Somehow the Repubs missed that before they sent out the invite.

For all of those out there who think the Prez is above mockery, get a life. When he has done the dumb-ass shit that he has, someone has to have the "huevos" to call him on it.

Thank God, Colbert did not decide to back down in front of the Prez and the glare of the spotlight.

It is obvious that no one in the mainstream press possesses anything remotely approaching "balls" in the way that Colbert mockingly says it on the Colbert Report. (And I apologize to those who feel that vaginas are threatened by that remark.)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Well now they will have to kill him
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Gregor on May 4, 2006 5:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obviously with Colbert's report, the secret is out, either the GOP doesn't know that everyone knows how rotten to the core they are and obviously the media press didn't realize it either, but when you speak truth to an Emperor sometimes you get your head chopped off!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

thanks for reminding me
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jerseymaiden on May 4, 2006 6:34 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thanks for reminding me abt that shocking wmd "joke" a couple of years ago -- I still can't believe no one said, Uh, you might want to reconsider this, it's really not funny AT ALL...so pathetic. And bush mocking that woman, too, oh my god...this spoiled little frat boy has a lot to answer for.

But man, did colbert rock the house!!!! holy crap!!! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, I could not believe what he was saying. Best thing that's happened since al gore gave up on the recount!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

King Lear also had a fool
[Report this comment]
Posted by: juno1957 on May 4, 2006 7:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
King Lear was a tragic figure. He committed tragically foolish errors. The only person that could speak truth to the King was his Fool. As a dramatic device, he provided comic relief to the sadness of the tragedy.

'Nuff said.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The royal pain-in-the-ass got the not-so-royal treatment; take it like a man, Georgie-Porgie.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: monkeywrench on May 4, 2006 8:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
From the article:
"Nevertheless, Dana Milbank of The Washington Post, appearing on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC program Monday night, joined the ranks of those who attended the dinner who felt Colbert "was not funny." On the other hand, he said the president's routine that night with a Bush impersonator was a howl."

. . .Yeah, and Hitler thrilled us when he showed he could "trip the light fantastic" when he danced his little war jig too. . .

There was something particularly onerous about the mainsteam press toadies getting all giggly and going along with the impersonator joke about our president, who really IS a joke. It's kinda like a variation on an old Soviet truism ("we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us"): in the case of the press attendees, "the president pretends to like being made fun of, and his loyal subjects pretend to laugh with him."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Who cares if Mr. Colbert was funny? Should he have been?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Talpone on May 5, 2006 1:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In my my view he was "speaking truth to power". This truth is nothing to laugh about.

The Bush era is pushing the world into increasingly catastrophic political, economic and environmental conditions, and when it all comes crashing down, most likely one of the fascist ideologies waiting in the wings (probably with more than a little financial assistance from some large corporate networks) will take hold of one part of the population (white, where available), who will proceed to massacre the other for everything that went wrong.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Greg Mitchell:another irrational Kerry-bashing moment
[Report this comment]
Posted by: deanorff on May 5, 2006 6:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yo, Greg Mitchell. You can't understand why John Kerry didn't show the video of Bush's "Can't Find my WMD's" slide show in the 2004 campaign and condemn him for it? How about because Kerry didn't want to commit political suicide? Why are so many so willing to forget the political realities of 2004 in their rush to bash John Kerry's campaign? ...Including typically self-destructive Democrats - who refuse to learn a simple lesson from Republicans: Don't Tear Down your Own Candidates. (or ex-presidents, for that matter)
I campaigned for Kerry throughout 2004. In Iowa in January '04, I talked to two dozen registered Democrats. 5 of them (20%) acted as if I was blaspheming Jesus if I so much as Hinted that Bush was anything but an honest and decent man. If John Kerry had hit Bush for the WMD jokes, the mainstream media would have painted him as the cold, mean, angry liberal, the negative campaigner, the bad guy, the "not a good man" guy.
What happened after Kerry said "we should go to war because we Have to not because we Want to" at the Dems '04 convention? One solid month of the media giving free air time to Swift Boat Vets for Bush.
What happened when Kerry came out with his 6-part plan for stablilizing Iraq and winning the war on terror? The media scoffed. They wouldn't even give it serious discussion. Unrealistic, they said. Besides, the strategic details Don't Matter, they claimed, because Kerry had the Same Goal as Bush. How many anti-Bushers caught on to how utterly Insane and irrational that media angle was? They weren't paying attention. They were too busy wimpily "standing up" to Bush. As if that was a heroic accomplishment. Some activists were so out of touch they actually thought Kerry could win if he came out for troop withdrawal in 2004.
You wanted Kerry to talk tough. Howard Dean talks tough. Has he ever gotten a shred of positive press? No. To the "mainstream" press, Howard is the angry, foot-in-mouth radical. Hillary Clinton's "plantation" comment? What did that get her?
Get a Clue. The Media Does Not Like Democrats Who Talk Tough. It Attacks Them. It is the not the job of Democratic candidates to Be Angry. That is the job of Democratic activists. And you don't get angry at your own candidates. You get angry at the mainstream media that "protected" the public from all the negative Iraq-related info that didn't come out until After the 2004 election was over. We activists knew what was going on -- but if we tried to say it, the mainstream treated us as if we were angry, irrational Bush-haters. And the voting public bought into it. So those few of us whose top priority was getting John Kerry elected got Smart -- we emphasized the pro-Kerry argument instead of just anti-Bush. Unfortunately, there weren't enough of us.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Crowd deadening microphone used at conference
[Report this comment]
Posted by: crozbud on May 5, 2006 9:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
According to Wayne Madsen (waynemadsenreport.com), the planners used a crowd deadening mic that night that couldn't pick up the sounds of the audience, which was actually laughing and hooting. This was the same type of mic that set Howard Dean up so that, when he yelled above the noise of the crowd, all we heard was him yelling and sounding unnaturally shrill. These microphones are useful for reporters in traffic, etc. But they can also be used strategically, whether or not that was part of the actual plan, I don't know. Did they anticipate Colbert? Could you hear laughing during the president's speech?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

bet me
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Baron Von Esslingen on May 5, 2006 10:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What do you want to bet that Mark Smith doesn't invite Colbert back for next year's dinner?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The insider disease
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Edward George on May 5, 2006 12:27 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There have always been hanger-ons around seats of power whose only glory is reflected. Their greatest fear is being left out, not one of the circle of insiders. They are psychophants who will laugh at what the current big shot says no matter how inane. It is a sickness that gets more and more virulent as a government ages, even if it's big shots trade places. We have a sick Washington DC desperately in need of people who don't even try to be insiders. Real independents with enough self confidence to ignore the game and do just what the Constitutient and their own thoughts tell them to do. Independents who don't give a single thought to reelection.

Ed George

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

somebody's head is rolling
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ellen Remore on May 5, 2006 12:33 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
i'm still wondering who the genius was who booked stephen colbert to speak at this dinner. could it be that whoever this person was thought his comedy central persona was genuine, that he was really a bill o'reilly clone? god, talk about not getting the joke! on the other hand, maybe the person who hired colbert realized he was the only comedian in the business who could eviscerate bush properly and love doing it. and god knows, it's about time!! colbert has more balls than the rest of the so-called fourth estate put together!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Beware, Mrs. Colbert
[Report this comment]
Posted by: 3Dgrees on May 6, 2006 8:46 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert was fantastic! Stephen skewered Baby Bush and his moral masquerade while giving the inert media a long overdue reminder of its job - to shine the white hot spot light on White House corruption. Brilliantly done! Unfortunately, I fear for the safety of Stephen's wife ...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

the only reason
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Asses of Evil on May 6, 2006 8:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the satire is so savage is because his policies are so unpopular (and because he has so many waterboys in the press). he doesn't like harsh satire being done to his face? Awwwww......yeah, this war has been so tough personally for him with his daughters in Iraq and, well, being the personal slave to all the big companies who support him. Awwww...it's a hard-knock life when the comedian insults you eh Monkey Boy? Well, if you'd done your homework you would have seen it coming. The guy is independent and relishes it-perhaps you should consider thinking for yourself a bit too. Please, if he wants some sympathy, perhaps he should think about being a bit more sympathetic to the people of the world over whom he has such a huge influence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Greg Bacon on May 8, 2006 6:00 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert's masterful tongue-in-cheek skewering of George and the WH press was wonderful
Finally, someone with enough cajones to speak truth to power confronted Georgie and his press lackeys.

IMHO, believe the press choose to ignore Colbert for two reasons:

1. Colbert callled the press on what they actually are, spineless. They didn't like the truth being tossed into their satiated faces.
2. They were also aghast that Colbert had the audacty, mind you, the audacity, to question his Majesty, King George.
That's a shock they'll never recover from.

Greg Bacon
Ava, MO

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT'S TURBO ROAST
[Report this comment]
Posted by: EBB on May 9, 2006 10:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for any " administration " ( It's an oxymoron to call it a "government ) to achieve real, functional control over the people, it begins by dumbing down, and Numbing out it's potential opponents.

Keep "them" distracted, and, at all cost keep "them" misinformed.

Hitler knew, as some in the "Wanna be the Burning Bush" administration obviously do, that control of the Media is crucial, if they are to achieve their goals.

Judging by current events, and the "reporting" or lack therof, they would seem to have fairly successfully accomplished that.

Bless Stephen Colbert for having BIG BALLS, and the courage that it took to stand face to face with the "President" and tell it like it IS.

It's a real joke that there is any debate about the "good taste" of, or the relative Comedic merit of Stephen Colbert's lambasting of Bush.

Thankfully, He did not choose to simply amuse or distract the crowd, which seems mostly to be what the they were expecting.

Instead, to His credit, Colbert delivered messages that desperately need to be heard by the American people.

He spoke in plain language, which used to be the American way.

He spoke forcefully, which was necessary for his words to penetrate the thick skins of complacency.


President Bush hasn't evidently pissed enough people off YET to be Deposed.

One wonders, considering the number of major Domestic and International blunders made during the Bush administrations, and the staggering DEBTS that these actions have dumped on the shoulders of future generations of American citizens, what it WILL take to provoke America's consciousness to rise, and to begin to adress the real issues that face America, beginning with the removal of this administration

Hopefully Stephen Colbert's roasting of the President, and his administration will contiribute to that.

Someone commented on the Denial process in place within the Bush Government.

Bushees maintain a molecularly tight firewall, through which not one " discouraging word " can pass, otherwise, they could not believe in, or support and impose, their morally bankrupt agendas on the American people


The Bush administrations have shown consistent and total disrespect for the social principles which the Forefathers of America ( who would seem to have been moral men ) upheld as beliefs important enough to incorporate in their Declaration of America's intent to the World at the nation's Birthing.

LIFE has become tenuous for huge numbers of American citizens

America's LIBERTY has been replaced by Tyranny at home and abroad.

EQUALITY of America's citizens is demonstrated daily to be a sham.

America's PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS has been reduced to non-stop shopping.

America's, and , thereby American's FREEDOM, which was maintained by their Democratic process is being stolen from them, by men with evil intent .


EVEN the "decider", who has a statistically dismal record of "getting the message" HAD to hear Stephen Colbert's brilliantly delivered, and extremely inciteful words. ( especially since George was only a few feet away, with no bush or Bushee's to hide behind )

George, however, has repeatedly demonstrated that He would rather listen to a good story than the Truth...

George seems to be the inspiration for the quote " Although He got the Message, he was deaf to the News".

Rise up in Righteous Indignation America, and kick this sick and corrupt administration out of power!

Once you have removed them from power, Prosecute them for their crimes against the FREEDOM and the LIBERTY of Americans, ( not to mention the rest of the world

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT'S TURBO ROAST
[Report this comment]
Posted by: EBB on May 9, 2006 10:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for any " administration " ( It's an oxymoron to call it a "government ) to achieve real, functional control over the people, it begins by dumbing down, and Numbing out it's potential opponents.

Keep "them" distracted, and, at all cost keep "them" misinformed.

Hitler knew, as some in the "Wanna be the Burning Bush" administration obviously do, that control of the Media is crucial, if they are to achieve their goals.

Judging by current events, and the "reporting" or lack therof, they would seem to have fairly successfully accomplished that.

Bless Stephen Colbert for having BIG BALLS, and the courage that it took to stand face to face with the "President" and tell it like it IS.

It's a real joke that there is any debate about the "good taste" of, or the relative Comedic merit of Stephen Colbert's lambasting of Bush.

Thankfully, He did not choose to simply amuse or distract the crowd, which seems mostly to be what the they were expecting.

Instead, to His credit, Colbert delivered messages that desperately need to be heard by the American people.

He spoke in plain language, which used to be the American way.

He spoke forcefully, which was necessary for his words to penetrate the thick skins of complacency.


President Bush hasn't evidently pissed enough people off YET to be Deposed.

One wonders, considering the number of major Domestic and International blunders made during the Bush administrations, and the staggering DEBTS that these actions have dumped on the shoulders of future generations of American citizens, what it WILL take to provoke America's consciousness to rise, and to begin to adress the real issues that face America, beginning with the removal of this administration

Hopefully Stephen Colbert's roasting of the President, and his administration will contiribute to that.

Someone commented on the Denial process in place within the Bush Government.

Bushees maintain a molecularly tight firewall, through which not one " discouraging word " can pass, otherwise, they could not believe in, or support and impose, their morally bankrupt agendas on the American people


The Bush administrations have shown consistent and total disrespect for the social principles which the Forefathers of America ( who would seem to have been moral men ) upheld as beliefs important enough to incorporate in their Declaration of America's intent to the World at the nation's Birthing.

LIFE has become tenuous for huge numbers of American citizens

America's LIBERTY has been replaced by Tyranny at home and abroad.

EQUALITY of America's citizens is demonstrated daily to be a sham.

America's PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS has been reduced to non-stop shopping.

America's, and , thereby American's FREEDOM, which was maintained by their Democratic process is being stolen from them, by men with evil intent .


EVEN the "decider", who has a statistically dismal record of "getting the message" HAD to hear Stephen Colbert's brilliantly delivered, and extremely inciteful words. ( especially since George was only a few feet away, with no bush or Bushee's to hide behind )

George, however, has repeatedly demonstrated that He would rather listen to a good story than the Truth...

George seems to be the inspiration for the quote " Although He got the Message, he was deaf to the News".

Rise up in Righteous Indignation America, and kick this sick and corrupt administration out of power!

Once you have removed them from power, Prosecute them for their crimes against the FREEDOM and the LIBERTY of Americans, ( not to mention the rest of the world

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Even amost two weeks later...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: form516 on May 9, 2006 3:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
everytime I see a replay of the event somewhere, it just gets sweeter and sweeter. Colbert has given us an event of historical significance. The irony only continues in that most of the people he was talking about still don't get what was really going on (as evidenced by the resulting MS criticism "he was not funny, he was rude") Just precious!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Stephen Colbert Hurray
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cityofangelslady on May 9, 2006 9:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think Stephen Colbert is the best thing to happen in American media since, since, since... Mark Twain.

What a gutsy guy, exactly what we need now to break through and start saying things like they really are.

He was so brave and said what we all wish we could say and right to BUsh's face.

You go, Bro, I love you.
Kay In L.A>

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

A Swift Bomb
[Report this comment]
Posted by: robedal on May 10, 2006 6:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Swift Lays an Egg
by Fawn Lickspittle - Chicago Daily News

The concensus of London insiders is that Jonathan Swift's recent performance at Buckingham Palace was a bomb. His speech "A Modest Proposal" was pronounced "Not funny" by Byron Bloviator of the Los Angeles Times and" in rather poor taste" by Lise Logorrohea of the Washington Post.
The king was not amused, and is reliably reported to have asked rhetorically "Good heavens!, Is the man suggesting we should interfere with the free market in potatoes.? Unthinkable.!"
The New York Times Book Review section was disappointed at Swift's failure to make the transition from children's literature (Gulliver's Travels) to more adult fare and suggests that he confine himself to less weighty matter if he wants to succeed as an author.
Government spokesperson Karl Coprology suggests that Swift's denial of any financial interest in the scheme (*) was less than sincere. "Although Mr. Swift may not have any edible offspring, I think one should look at the financial records of the family in total." he said, in an exclusive interview granted to this reporter.

(*) "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing." was less

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert: sign of hope; but the answer isn't what you think
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BJT on May 10, 2006 7:21 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The fact that Colbert was allowed to give our dictator a good ribbing is a sign of hope. America isn't so far gone that it self-censors to that degree.

However, this article is wrong, wrong, wrong. We don't need a more leftward-leaning media. "Progressives" don't need bigger media voices. Progressives are every bit as statist as the neocons. If it is your goal to use government programs to solve problems, you are already in the wrong thinking. The way to free people and secure their prosperity, safety and health is to elimiate government interference, not propagate it.

What we really need are liberal voices in the classical sense. Don't understand classical liberalism? Then you don't understand what America was founded upon. Read about it at mises.org or hear about how to restore liberty to your own life from the recorded conference calls at sorce190.com. Do research at famguardian.org. Read Edward Griffin's "The Creature from Jekyll Island." Get clued in to the Liberty Dollar, and how to circumvent and abolish the Federal Reserve, the biggest source of problems in America today.

We need voices for LIMITED GOVERNMENT, NATURAL RIGHTS (civil rights can always be taken away!) and social and economic LIBERTY.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
85
89
95
00
6
1
15
0
23
30
35
56
63
68
76
82
93
01
07
12
27
21
34
40
47
55
60
66
74
85
91
13

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
19
27
37
45
49
55
62
66
73
79
87
91
10
15
31
38
46
51
55
61
66
75
81
87
94
99
06
70
75
59
83
91
96
04
10
14
20
25

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

Absolutely
[Report this comment]
Posted by: nbrown on May 4, 2006 12:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well said.

The corporate media has given Bush a free pass on Iraq. Most of the major papers endorsed the Iraq invasion (NYTimes, Wash Post, etc.) and continue to support the occupation.

And even on the sick matter of "joking" that there were no WMD in Iraq, the media gave Bush a huge thumb's up.

But let's be clear about one thing: Bush wasn't merely "poking fun" at himself two years ago when joking about WMD. He was pulling a Bill Clinton, letting criticism bounce off of him as if he were made of rubber.

With American politics being purely about image, it's a great trick to pull. The effect was to convince his base that it "didn't matter" that there were no WMD in Iraq.

But back to the point, good work!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Absolutely Posted by: mazel
» RE: Absolutely Posted by: nbrown

Comments are closed-

What a riot.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RoffleTheWaffle on May 4, 2006 1:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's nice to know that war has become such a joke to this clown. Of course, you can't possibly expect him to take this matter seriously, considering that in his mind's eye, he's just playing war with his daddy's toys.

What a fucking disgrace. Bush and his ship of fools don't deserve to even so much as set foot on American soil, much less run our country. Poking fun at a war in which thousands have died, laughing about the very mountain of lies he created to bring the war to pass... It only goes to show just how morally bankrupt this man is. It's a good thing to have a sense of humor, but for him of all people to joke around like that is just sickening.

Outrage aside, though, nice article. Also, I don't care if Colbert was out of line when he mopped the floor with the President. It needed to be said.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What a riot. Posted by: mcartri

Comments are closed-

He praised him
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Prismagirl3 on May 4, 2006 1:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It was a once in a life time chance. Honestly what would you expect him to do? Praise the President? Wait he did that.....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: And Jonathan Swift ate babies! Posted by: Samantha Vimes

Comments are closed-

The press is REPUBLICAN
[Report this comment]
Posted by: helen_0f_romford on May 4, 2006 2:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Nothing will change whilst well-paid newspaper columnists continue to believe that it is their job to be partizan propagandists for the Republican party.

This isn't about deference to the office of President, I don't remember any shown to Clinton whose offences in office were trivial compared alongside Bush. It is about traditional media, both print and broadcast, who only understand fairness and balance as meaning the promotion of right-wing ideologies.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

not funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mokidugway on May 4, 2006 2:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I define Bush by two public performances.

One is his press dinner spoof about wmds.

The other is the interview with Tucker Carlson in wihch Bush mocked the death-row pleas for clemency of fellow born-again Karla Faye Tucker.

People die at his orders, and Bush laughs. Not in private, but to the press. Moreover, few Americans seem to notice or care. And don't just blame the press. Both incidents were widely reported; the former aired on television.

It's absolutely chilling on so many levels.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: not funny Posted by: anothername
» RE: not funny Posted by: caitlin
» wow Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: wow Posted by: mokidugway
» RE: not funny Posted by: peacefulaim
» RE: not funny Posted by: American Reflections
» RE: not funny Posted by: mokidugway

Comments are closed-

More pro-Bush propaganda from E&P
[Report this comment]
Posted by: IntnsRed on May 4, 2006 3:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As paid-up, big business members of the ruling class, the corporate mass media overall has been a huge advocate of Bush. If it were not for the media's cheerleading, Bush's election thefts would be common knowledge, his illegal invasion of Iraq would never have happened, we would have had a "real" investigation of 9/11, social security's potential evisceration would have been dead at word 1, Bush's tax cuts never would have passed, etc., etc.

Just look at this article. Read the first sentence above.

Instead of reporting the facts -- say, something like "Comedian character Steven Colbert lampooned Bush personally which made the president visibly uncomfortable..." -- what do we have?

Instead of facts we have E&P defining the "acceptable range" of political debate. The article focuses on whether Colbert went overboard in mocking Bush.

The second sentence of the piece works to reinforce this concept by painting Colbert's performance as not funny. (If true, the blunt truth is so new to reporters they're shocked.)

And we're to call that "objective journalism" and cheer?

A long time ago Chomsky wrote bluntly and eloquently about the corporate mass media's role in limiting free speech and enforcing an "acceptable range" of political debate. Like the corporate mass media as a whole, this piece from E&P does that job subtly and well -- to all of our detriment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You totally missed the point Posted by: brunowe

Comments are closed-

yogendra2
[Report this comment]
Posted by: yogendra2 on May 4, 2006 3:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anything that would help George Bush look at how character disordered he is would be a good thing. If George Bush were smart, he could look at Steve Colbert's presentation, look at the things about himself which make him the worst president ever and which make so many people hate him----here and all over the world!----change these character disordered aspects of his personality, and be a better person and BECOME A BETTER PRESIDENT! The only problem with this senario is that persons with severe character disorders got that way because of a defense mechanism called DENIAL. AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE INTENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT TO CHANGE. So chances are George Bush will die very, very character disordered and there is no possible way he could change all of his psychological disturbances by the time he leaves office. SO AMERICA WELCOME TO THE REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION. YOGI, TUCSON, AYOGENDRA@YAHOO.COM

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: markusmark
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: yogendra2
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: yogendra2
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: tooldoc60
» RE: yogendra2 Posted by: bammylou

Comments are closed-

more progressive/Dem focus on non-issues, same as always
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cry0fan on May 4, 2006 3:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There ya go--keep some rich comedian in the political spotlight instead of spotlighting the real issues of progressive taxation, universal healthcare, labor supply and demand, a stronger social safety nets and more time off for workers.

Pretty soon American voters will think that all that politics is about is just pure partisanship, and that politics has nothing to do with making our lives better by working together to get better lives for the majority by keeping the rich people from getting most of everything.

Of course, the rich people like it JUST FINE the way you PseudoLiberals and the RightWing have set it up to make American politics nothing but pure partisanship. Oh, wait, I forgot, your hero Colbert did bring up maybe TWO real issues. Let's see: THe NSA is spying on us. Oh, yeah, exposing that is almost as good as unversal healthcare. Great catch, there. Oh, and there is a war on. OK, yeah, maybe you have an issue there.

But those are far from the most important issues. I guess Colbert choose those issues to raise because all those other issues are verboten under "progressive" democrat activist theory.

Gee, I cannot figure out for the life of me why Middle Americans prefer to vote GOP.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» cry0fan's broken record Posted by: BKLN
» people are dying Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

DoctorAndy
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DoctorAndy on May 4, 2006 3:44 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Where are these aspiring NeoCons like Milbank hatched?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: DoctorAndy Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Milbank Posted by: henderson
» RE: Milbank Posted by: Rattlesby
» glug glug glug Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: Milbank Posted by: Philne

Comments are closed-

It was aimed over their heads
[Report this comment]
Posted by: timsaward on May 4, 2006 3:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think the point that a lot of the media commentators are missing is that the speech wasn't aimed at making them laugh, it was aimed at making us, the public, laugh both at Bush and at the complacency of the media, whether pro-Bush or otherwise - and aimed at making them uncomfortable on TV. And it succeeded brilliantly.

They didn't laugh because Colbert rather daringly decided not to reassure them with his comedy, but to challenge them.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: It was aimed over their heads Posted by: Steven Wanzell

Comments are closed-

The Truth Hurts
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Nez46 on May 4, 2006 4:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Those who aren't laughing at Colbert's portrayal are the ones who got us into this mess and now must wear the badge of stupidity in public. No one likes being the fool and to have it "IN YOUR FACE" the way Colbert did it really stung down deep.

That being said, regarding the actual piece, I've blogged it, I've talked about it at work and I've replayed it for my Conservative Father in law--the vast majority of folks, including my stuffy ol Pop-in-law, thought it was hilarious.

To those who take offense-get over it, crybabies: Colbert's act was specfreakintacular and those who don't think so can kiss his-and our-royal arses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: outsidea
» RE: The Truth Hurts Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

A Tour de Force
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ljsullivan1166@earthlink.net on May 4, 2006 4:35 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our Royal Court Jester deserves a medal for heroism.

Actually, when I watched Colbert's performance for the third time, I realized that a lot more people were laughing than I had realized at first. They were also amazed. And squirming in their seats. We haven't had a really good Court Jester in ages. The Court Jester was the only one who could get away with ridiculing the King to his face in public; it was his job.

I can't imagine what Mark Smith was thinking when he hired Colbert for that position -- but then, a major problem with a lot of these conservatives is that they don't have much of a sense of humor. He must have thought Colbert was actually a Bush-loving conservative; either that, or Smith has a death wish. It would be interesting to find out.

But I think a lot of the people in that audience actually 'got' Colbert and found his performance as breathtaking as we did; and it is hard to laugh when you are holding your breath. The fact is, he had the guts -- and balls -- and brains -- to say what millions of us would like to say to the Bush gang. What millions of us wish our Representatives and Senators in Congress would say out loud and then do something about it.

And what he had to say to the Washington press about their bootlicking, obsequious attitude toward this puny tin potentate was also right on. And including Helen Thomas in the program was sheer brilliance. About time that intrepid lady got some recognition.

Great satire serves a great purpose and, in this case, a highly patriotic purpose. It unmasks the fakers and reveals them for what they are in reality. Like pulling the curtain away and revealing the Great and Terrible Oz for the deceptive little pipsqueak he actually was. Like revealing that, in fact, the Emperor has no clothes. Once that happens, it becomes much harder to fool the people again. When the Great and Terrible Oz and the naked Emperor are exposed, their power evaporates. And it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Stonecutter
» rhetorical.. Posted by: brasilaron
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: peacefulaim
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Urstrly
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: Marvin R
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: 9wicket
» RE: A Tour de Force Posted by: bschuhle

Comments are closed-

Re: Mark Smith's motives
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ljsullivan1166@earthlink.net on May 4, 2006 4:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I just thought of one more possibility why Mark Smith booked Colbert.

Maybe he is a subversive, and it was a plot; maybe he's on OUR side!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Who IS Mark Smith? Posted by: plantland
» RE: Who IS Mark Smith? Posted by: Scientz

Comments are closed-

Thanks for the reminder
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Catherine a on May 4, 2006 4:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You point out with great clarity how Greg Mitchell's piece in E&P was pre-framed for us. It avoids the important issue--that at last someone dared to speak directly to Bush about the gross incompetence and moral impoverishment of Bush and his administration, and Bush's obvious discomfort. Instead Mitchell's piece focused on unimportant things such as whether or not it was acceptable to talk about the massive failings of this president to his face.

We need to have these things pointed out more often.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Thanks for the reminder Posted by: Catherine a

Comments are closed-

Whorehouse
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tenstring on May 4, 2006 4:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The corporate media and the Washington power structure are having an orgy in the national whorehouse. Colbert simply used the art of humor to state that truth. Bush and his fellow war criminals are on the greatest crime spree in history, and the corporate media is providing cover for them -- for a slice of the loot. We should all be doing what Colbert did. God bless his pointy little head!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

habrenda
[Report this comment]
Posted by: habrenda on May 4, 2006 5:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That Bush thought the missing WMD's was something to joke about is not surprising. That he can joke about condemning people to death is also not surprising. As long as he is "fit and trim" as long as he and his friends continue to make lots of money then all is right with the world. Classic sociopathic behavior. What is astonishing and frightening is that the "so-called" journalists continue to go along and support him and his administration. Until this ends and we get truly "fair and honest" reporting we are all just so much fodder and not to be concerned about.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Go after them directly. Posted by: Lauren

Comments are closed-

Political journalists have always craved access to power
[Report this comment]
Posted by: chomsky on May 4, 2006 5:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm not surprised at the press' lasck of response to Colbert. Political journalists (especially those with capital postings) are usually very pliable to those in the corridors of power. They generally look upon themselves as partners with those who govern and feel that their behaviour can affect policy as much as a house vote. They require contacts for their jobs.
Colbert poked fun at all of this. He seems to recognize that the journalists are as culpable for democaratic errors as the policy makers and their wonks.
No wonder no one smiled. The press have ceded part of their job to comedians.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

COMBAT VET THROWS COLBERT A SALUTE.....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kc10ken on May 4, 2006 5:34 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I served over 13 years including 3 tours in the middle east and I am opposed to the war in Iraq.

I though Colbert's performance was LONG OVERDUE. I absolutely LOVED the message he sent to dumbya and he did it in such an hilarious way.

We need more Colbert's to give this human shitwave of an administration a good dose of reality.

Here's a salute to you Steve.......Thanks...from all the Vets who wish they could have said it themselves!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The days of the bards are back
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Yundah on May 4, 2006 5:40 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert's comments at the press dinner remind me of the history of satire among the Irish. Bards were allowed, in fact were encouraged,f to satirize those in power and acted as social conscience for society. They could not be punished for their satire but they also had to take any comments and criticisms that came their way. Colbert is likewise in that position but he can take it, and should be satisfied that he is getting it. It means that he made people uncomfortable, the first step in self-assessment.
Colbert is following in the path of those bards. I hope he continues. I watched the dinner in which Bush "mocked" his own search for WMD's and was appalled that the audience laughed. Bush's blatant attempt at trying to make his lie "better" by admitting it (albeit mockingly) should have been met with the (mostly) silence that Colbert faced.
I think a free press, with rights of satire, is truly what stands between us and tyranny, when it stands between us and tyranny. I have been very disappointed these last six years. Our press needs to do something, play the pipes, break out the Jamesons, pour the Guinness, anything to get them in an Irish Bardic frame of mind. Anything to get their cynicism going.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» End the drug war? Posted by: Lauren
» RE: nd the drug war? Posted by: jeff2045

Comments are closed-

I didn't know
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jrmart66 on May 4, 2006 6:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wow, I didn't even realize there was a "controversy". Hmmm, so satire has a limit? Hmmm. So did I miss something? Was there anything in Colbert's monologue that was based on a LIE?
Hmm.
ah, well, I guess the "liberal" press ain't so liberal after all. About the only one that seemed to have a sense of humor is whats her name, that little old white house correspondent that appeared in the video clip.
It has taken almost a year of the "Colbert Report" for the right wing to finally realize they are the butt. That it is their buffoonery that is being ridiculed. doesn't surprise me.

The REAL JOKE isn't the monologue's the REAL JOKE is the President.
Now, let me see where did I put that passport? I want to go to Canada.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: I didn't know Posted by: gpm
» RE: I didn't know Posted by: churchofone

Comments are closed-

THE SILENT MEDIA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: eileen on May 4, 2006 6:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What Colbert does masterfully is tell the truth.

The truth hurts.

The truth is the Fourth Estate is often biased or just silent about many issues.

WE THE PEOPLE can find the truth if we seek it.

Muckraker's thrive on the Internet not in coorporate controlled airconditioned offices.

Where is the media on the historic FREEDOM OF SPEECH trial in Jerusalem? They are silent,
but Vanunu is not and WAWA has the exclusive
"30 Minutes with Vanunu" available as a FREE download:
http://www.wearewideawake.org

"We have it in our power to change the world."-Tom Paine

But we all have to DO SOMETHING to make it happen.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Sophomoric isn't funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Rattlesby on May 4, 2006 6:48 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert is NOT that funny to a lot of us out here in the real world.
I admire his courage, and I agree with his purpose. But it was embarrassing, sort of adolescent humor, and I was not laughing very much. Yes, I hate everything about this President, and I grieve over the losses this country has suffered under this Bush regime. But don't be afraid to face facts -- people laugh when they think something is funny, and this routine, done by a truly likeable, intelligent guy, bombed.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It doesn't meant to be funny Posted by: Brucewxx
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Mutternich
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Elmowilcox
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Rattlesby
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: zedaker
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: Mutternich
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: churchofone
» RE: Sophomoric isn't funny Posted by: brasilaron

Comments are closed-

Everything I needed I learned in.....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: fpitz on May 4, 2006 6:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hello all,
We can debate this back and forth forever, with 100 differing dialectical screeds. Colbert spoke for a hell of a lot of us when he ripped Bush (figuratively). Now, if only we could find someone to rip Bush (literally).
For this radical (68 year old), the debate boils down to rather simple terms instead of all the psuedo-intellectual liberal bullshit. Mom taught me a a damn young age folks, you got to give respect to get respect. Bush's Mom never taught him that, ergo all this crap about "respect" for the presidency, and "acceptable ranges" (of critique) are just that, CRAP. Bush has never given respect to anyone in his miserable, failed life, why should we offer him any respect? He's the president of the most hated country in the world, how in the hell can anyone respect him - or the office that he has so corrupted.
Same goes for the media folks, why should anyone respect, or pay attention to the media presstitutes?
Frank

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Ruling Elite vs. Main Stream Media
[Report this comment]
Posted by: douglashoyt on May 4, 2006 6:55 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article made good points.

However, the "truth" is that the MSM and the ruling elite are the same group. Both have a controlling interest in world domination. The corporate energy section of the ruling elite wish to control the oil in Iraq; the MSM section wish to control what, how, why, when, where, and who of the American world view.

So it is not surprising that the MSM should not critize Mr. Bush or his policies.

The self styled journalist at that party have all been picked to think and act in a supportive manner towards the other sections of the ruling elite.

In other words, it is a conspiracy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Touche Frank, Bush as big-time loser h.s. coach is funny!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Pete123 on May 4, 2006 6:57 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have all become familiar with the notion of president as cheerleader thanks to President Reagan. I think the service provided by Colbert's monologue/diatribe is to nudge the historians in the direction of writing about the president of the United States as coach. Now that I have watched and reread Colbert's speech and delivery, and taken in Frank's comments above, I somehow see my high school football coach in Pres. Bush as the big-timer loser high school coach is funny!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

WTF?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: LMNOP on May 4, 2006 6:58 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What did the morons think was going to happen when they invited someone who makes a living mocking politics and politicians and who has always been an outspoken critic of the president and who flaunts decorum daily? Have they never seen a roast before. That is what that event was, a roast, with Bush reportedly making fun of himself and with a series of comedic speakers coming to the dais to joke about the people present.

This was just another intelligence failure and some more incompetence from the administration. Only these assclown fucktards could make such an eggregious error.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Hero
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Elmowilcox on May 4, 2006 7:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Is there any other way to really describe Colbert than to say that he's one of the few heroes we have to look to(if not the only one at this point)? He said all the things noone else will ever have the chance to scream in the President's face(I picture myself yelling with spit flying all over the sorry son of a...), and I commend him for it. It was a very brave, very American act, and I praise him for it. Steve's opponents are just conflicted that they don't have the huevos to speak their minds, as they are all more interested in retaining their jobs than actually doing thier jobs. If only we had a lot more Colberts in the media something might actually get done in this country.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Hero Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

NOT "Funny"!?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bamage on May 4, 2006 7:17 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Come ON, people! "Rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg"... That's FUNNY! There were at least several laugh-out-loud moments for anyone not wholly lacking a sense of irony. Not to mention the brilliant "ballsolicious" (to quote JS) cumulative effect of his act. Open wide, baby birds...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: fanny666
» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: jimidee
» RE: NOT "Funny"!? Posted by: giles

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT (what else)
[Report this comment]
Posted by: VZEQICVA on May 4, 2006 7:27 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do the planners of this event line up people like Al Franken, Don Imus or Stephen Colbert and then respond the next day with outrage. It's hard enough to be funny. But lying at the same time is impossible. What was Colbert supposed to say ? Next time hire a neocon comic. First they'll have to find one. It is not in the nature of a self righteous conservative to be funny and sharp. They don't get it. Ever.
Thank you Stephen. Well Done! (from ANNA)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The subserviant mainstream press is being replaced as we write
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dmstern on May 4, 2006 7:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The internet is officially taking over mainstream media as we all write. Colbert's speech was, and remains, big news. The mainstream press completely missed the scoop...and they were all sitting there when it happened!!! To ignore this story has awakened America to how asleep at the wheel all the authority figures are. Like during Katrina, when it took Geraldo Rivera begging Bill O'Reilly to do something on day 5 of the crisis before any of these turkeys stopped sleepwalking. Geraldo for gods sakes! Our last hope.

The embedded cozy reporting of DC is creating a massive need for information. The internet is filling that need.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Our 4th Estate is Corrupt
[Report this comment]
Posted by: supercrisp on May 4, 2006 7:37 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We deserve better than the media we have. We could blame deregulation that killed off competition in that market, or we could blame the schools, or we could blame the personalities. Since I’m at a school (an R1 institution), I’ll say that I’m disheartened to see Journalism students being taught how to market themselves and how to make a paper look like US Today when there are more important issues. I’ve tutored j-school majors in their senior year who were ignorant of major global issues, world history, and world geography. I actually got a blank look from a young woman in j-school when I mentioned Walter frikking Lippman. She was pretty and was applying for jobs interning at TV stations; she plans to join TV’s blonde sisterhood.

(Hell, I recently met a graduate student newly admitted into the geography department on a PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIP who didn’t know where Madagascar was.)

In general, American standards for knowledge and truth are in the toilet, and making a buck and getting your way in life are sitting on the throne. In my opinion, we need to start from the ground up, teaching our children values and educating them, while at the same time we try to role back the deregudamage done to our way of life and the defunding of our institutions that create that way of life. Oh yeah, and get these fundy know-nothings the hell out of office.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Our 4th Estate is Corrupt Posted by: Tdstreet

Comments are closed-

The Press and Government shouldn't be BEDFELLOWS!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jreinhart1 on May 4, 2006 7:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert told it like it is and the press couldn't handle it. That is the big news of the year so far. Our free press is bought and paid for to pimp for our government rather than investigate it and keep it honest and keep Americans informed.

The "Press" is the most pathetic group of shills that form a group of entertainment news that has been formed by focus groups to tell the people what they want to hear. Colbert's roasting of the White House is the best real satire and the most news worthy exercise of freedom of the press since John Stewart skewered the CNN wingnuts on Crossfire.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Why laugh at the truth?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Pippi on May 4, 2006 7:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do you find the press's reaction incomprehensible? Have they not been resisting the truth for six years? The truth hurts; it doesn't elicit laughter. I'd like to hear Colbert's reaction; I bet he wasn't surprised at all that few in that audience found his remarks amusing. I think his message that night was: OK, you boys and girls in the media have been playing the lightweight comics; I'm going to speak the truth to power tonight as you should have been doing for the past six years.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Why laugh at the truth? Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

BLUE IN A VERY RED STATE
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Tdstreet on May 4, 2006 7:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I watched on C-Span and thought that Colbert's comments and skit w/Helen Thomas was priceless and an exercise in courage. I figured it would, as a story either be a big deal in the media or ignored. Predictably it was ignored with the stories showing the Chimp's worthless skit w/the even more worthless Chimp imitator. When Colbert's comments were mentioned in news stories it was "framed" as "did he go too far?" I suppose this is what we can expect when Faux News has become the standard of "journalism." I think all the other news networks take all their cues from Faux. The double standards never cease to amaze me. When Don Imus gave Clinton shit over extra-marital affairs and Whitewater at that same event back in 1996 it was played over and over. The injustice just makes me sick..... Anyway BIG TIME props to Colbert for holding up a mirror to the thieves, whores, cowards and lackeys that call themselves the "press" and our alleged "leaders." I guess when you make those high six and seven figure (and up) incomes you are immune from any sense of shame whatsoever.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

colbert was absolutely hilarious
[Report this comment]
Posted by: zedaker on May 4, 2006 8:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and the ballsiest guy i've seen in washington in years. he was right to take on the press as well as the president. if they had been doing their jobs and asking the questions (and then getting the answers) then they wouldn't have been the targets they were (are). will they learn...i don't think so.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Thank you, Colbert & Mitchell
[Report this comment]
Posted by: whattheheck on May 4, 2006 8:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you, Greg Mitchell. I had forgotten how stupid some of the idiotic things were that King George has said. I guess the past 6 years have been so painful, I have started to numb out just to survive.

You know, I think this whole situation has been just great. Bushy Boy, with all his careful scripting and manipulating to make sure only the best situations are in the camera's lens when he is in the public eye, had the whole thing blow up in his face when a "renegade" -- a real, live person with their own thoughts who wasn't in the back pocket of Bush or Rove -- got placed in the spotlight for 23 minutes and let the truth fly. It is such an unusual situation for this to have happened that it sticks out like a sore thumb. The public has become numb to anyone speaking the truth about Bush (and, the best part, TO HIS FACE), that they are stunned into silence. I really pray for the message to sink in and for the applause to grow louder & louder.

May Colbert & Mitchell be the first of a new wave of those who have the courage to tell the emperor he really is naked.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Stephen Colbert is God!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: woodford54 on May 4, 2006 8:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How much clearer can I make that statement. He did what each and every one of us should be doing utilizing as many forums as we can access. Bravo, Stephen!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Perhaps tipsy???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ghoulman on May 4, 2006 8:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...
That night, in the middle of his stand-up routine before the (perhaps tipsy) journos, ...

Perhaps tipsy. Reporters. Celebrities. Politicians... PERHAPS?!?!?

Journalists are drunkin' bastards to a man. And that's the way I like 'em. I'll take a drunkin' journo over the fearful, balless, faggots who were too scared to laugh at Colberts comedy milestone in the presence of thier Boy Emperor.

Drink up America... it's your salvation, if libation. ;p

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Sparkely Posted by: Lauren
» RE: Sparkely Posted by: Ghoulman
» RE: Perhaps tipsy??? Posted by: insulafortune
» RE: Perhaps tipsy??? Posted by: Ghoulman

Comments are closed-

Read outside the box
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnnyM on May 4, 2006 8:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The "comedians," Stephen Colbert, Al Franken, et al, don't matter.

There's a clear agenda of the white house (the black house as I call it) and these comedians are part of it, whether they know it or not. The mainstream press is owned by a handful of people who have an agenda that clearly reveals itself when you read outside the box. This speech is a distraction, so the freethinkers of the world run to blogs and sites like this to comment without anything really being done!

The issues of the world today are NOT funny. There is nothing funny about starvation, war, nuclear arms, depleted uranium, 911, rigged elections, etc..

Now, get back to fighting for your dignity while you still have it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: ead outside the box Posted by: bg41
» So we are wasting time while Posted by: outsidea

Comments are closed-

The Courage of Colbert
[Report this comment]
Posted by: needlefoot on May 4, 2006 8:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We have bent over backwards for so many years to accomodate this president, to overlook his actions, to pretend everything is going just fine when this country is actually in a decline and fall (remember Rome).

Our backs should be aching. Don't you think it is time to stand up, straight and tall, time to stand up with the courage that Colbert shows and do some serious truth-speaking - straight or comedic??

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: The Courage of Colbert Posted by: outsidea
» RE: The Courage of Colbert Posted by: jimidee

Comments are closed-

What was Cheney up to?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: thoughtcriminal on May 4, 2006 8:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert didn't have the opportunity to induce an apopleptic vice presidential heart attack - Cheney was apparently busy preparing for his tour of the Far Eastern oil zones. He is currently lecturing Russia on democratic reforms!. ABC, even. The Moscow Times version is far more informative regarding the oil and gas reserves in the region.

A preoccupation with 'energy security' - like controlling all those oil wells on the southern Iraq-Iran border. Now we have an imperial tour of the old Soviet states for oil concessions - it has such historical flavor. I don't think the czar will be taking him on any hunting trips, however.

The US corporate media can be counted on to do their best to ignore the oil and gas rationale behind Cheney's trip.

Here is a quote from Cheney's speech: "And no one can justify actions that undermine the territorial integrity of a neighbor, or interfere with democratic movements." How can Cheney say this with a straight face?

Rearranging deck chairs on the Hindenburg... that's funny.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert was screamingly funny
[Report this comment]
Posted by: pogo on May 4, 2006 8:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert was screamingly funny. Everyone I've showed the video to has almost fallen off their chairs laughing. I don't know what "real world" you're living in, Mr Rattlesby, but it is apparently not the same 'real world' as the rest of us. Colbert's performance was not only extremely funny, it was the most ballsy thing I've seen anyone on the mainstream media do in ages. The reason the Washington correspondents didn't laugh quite so hard is that he was calling them out for being the castrati that they are.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Press failed to declare emperor naked
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Mike Turnauer, Vancouver,WA on May 4, 2006 9:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Greg, that Bush's 2004 performance was so well received where Colbert somehow crossed the line is all we need to know about this flaccid press corp. Mr. Colbert's roast was absolutely brilliant and, while not without laugh-out-loud moments, the humor is outweighed by the poignancy of the truth Colbert speaks while in character.

I can see why members of the press were uncomfortable that Colbert basically told them (there was nothing suggestive about it) that not only was the emperor butt naked but this press corp watched him strip down to his birthday suit and a precious few among them dared to suggest that something might be amiss. Colbert declared them guilty of derilection of duty and deep down (or maybe not so deep down) they know he's right.

Take Colbert's zinger about Bush believing the same thing on Wednesday that he does on Monday no matter what happens on Tuesday. When I first heard this I thought this was a hilarious sendup of Bush's famous stubbornness when it comes to changing his mind on issues. Not so. Al Franken does a great routine on how Bush has flip-flopped on many issues so this is not Colbert perpetuating the canard that Bush never changes his mind. The implication here is much more nefarious, that Bush was hot for Iraq on Monday, September 10, 2001, and no less so on Wednesday, September 12, 2001, when he gave specific orders to Richard Clarke to connect 9/11 to Iraq by any means no matter how flimsy. It speaks volumes to why the prosecution of our justified war on the Taliban in Afghanistan has been so perfunctory and how we're now pulling out many troops while the Taliban is reconstituting and regaining strength there. This is escaping public scrutiny largely due to focus on Iraq. Instead of concentrating on Afghanistan as the focal point of "terrorism" Bush was allowed to create a breeding ground for it in Iraq where it was virtually non-existant.

The press had a chance to stop the madness in Iraq before it started and now they must live with the guilt of their abject failure and its disasterous consequences. Little wonder they are having difficulty finding the humor in being told as much by Colbert.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Press failed to declare emperor naked Posted by: Mike Turnauer, Vancouver,WA

Comments are closed-

TIME lists Colbert among " 100 Most Influential"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: grannyfranny on May 4, 2006 9:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This week's TIME includes Colbert among the most influential entertainers, even though his audience is so much smaller than the large cable channels. I hope those numbers will change, and others can experience this marvel of satire. He is dead-on night after night.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Alternet part of the days long debate
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kamcallen on May 4, 2006 9:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Two articles today from Alternet about Colbert. Apparently, Alternet has nothing more pertinent or timely to discuss than a comedian's remarks that were made 5 days ago. How about some more info on the Immigration Rallies that took palce all over the country this week? Alternet dropped the ball on this one.
Karon

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Satire and public policy
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rgoldfilm on May 4, 2006 9:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Satire is supposed to be funny AND pointed. If you're complaining about "poor taste" about ANY satire, you're on the wrong side of history, and of art. Lenny Bruce, Mark Twain, Jonathan Swift, Gary Trudeau, Country Joe McDonald and any political cartoonist worth his pen, have all been in "bad taste" (to some) when their satire has been the most pointed and memorable. And influential.

Bush looking for WMDs under a desk? Arguably, funny. Who cares that he got a "free pass" for that?

The problem is that he got a free pass for lying, for going to war on false pretenses, for criminal offenses, for screwing the American public, for subverting democracy, for ineptness, for creating havoc in Iraq and the world.

Will he get a free pass on going to war in Iran? If so, that would be in very poor taste. And not very funny.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

clinker
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cottontail on May 4, 2006 9:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Besides the obvious delight in Colbert's comments, watching the presidential lap-dog "journalists" and the rest of the "suck-ass" Washington crowd squirm, was priceless. Thank you, Stephen.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Applaud Truthiness!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: balderkitty on May 4, 2006 10:18 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert displayed the courage that most journalists lacked: he told truthiness. More importantly, he told the truth directly to the president's lying face.

As the media continues to censure Colbert, and I exempt the courageous Helen Thomas from this comment, then they are more in this administration's pocket then the American public realized.

Apparently, George Clooney's Good Night And Good Luck was more a highly pertient and on-target commentary on the cowardice of today's media and how closely they mirror the fear of the McCarthy era. Where are their ethics to support those who engage in Free Speech?

Colbert has a lot of guts putting out Americans' frustration with this Administration, especially right to George Bush's face. I applaud his courage and now know that our modern-day Edward R. Murrow is satirist Steve Colbert.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Save The Internet
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bodo on May 4, 2006 10:53 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Enjoying yourself on Alternet? Do you like having free speech? Don't take the internet forgranted, its the last free people's avenue of non-kleptocratic dialogue, and it is in serious jeopardy. http://www.savetheinternet.com/

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert 1, Media 0. Bush...-4
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Deke on May 4, 2006 10:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you for having a spine, Stephen Colbert. Something the mainstream media would be better suited to trying to grow, versus making sure their hair looks perfect for the camera.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Where's The Congress?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: skiptowne on May 4, 2006 11:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert showed a lot of guts but he wasn't really that funny because, the truth isn't funny. That's why most were uncomfortable.

Bush is such an easy target but the Congress is equally to blame for the U.S.'s downward spiral.

As an aside, John Kerry and the Democrats have blown it, big time. They had/have so much ammo to use against the neocons. Why is it so hard to tell the truth and present original ideas for these people?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» the democrats problem Posted by: Lauren

Comments are closed-

What did they expect....?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: albiegf13 on May 4, 2006 11:27 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They invited Stephen Colbert for Christ's sake...! Haven't any of these people seen his show....? Are they morons or what....?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What did they expect....? Posted by: tooldoc60

Comments are closed-

NETTIE
[Report this comment]
Posted by: NET on May 4, 2006 12:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN THE FIELD, I NEVER FAIL TO BE AMAZED AT HOW ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDERS GET SO MANY PEOPLE TO SCHILL FOR THEM AND SUPPORT THEM. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE SO GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO....HURTING VULNERABLE BEINGS ,AND, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONSCIENCE TO RESTRAIN THEIR BEHAVIORS. SO, COLBERT, BLESS HIM, SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER (SURPRISE, SURPRISE!) WITH THINLY VEILED HUMOR, AND THE "LIBERAL" MEDIA WHO HAVE NOT HAD THE CAJONES TO TAKE ON THIS ADMINISTRATON, CASTIGATE COLBERT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS PEOPLE DEAD IN THE WORLD ARENA THANKS TO THIS PSYCHOPATHIC REGIME...WHO HAVE THE NERVE TO THREATEN TO ANNIHILATE US ALL IN A NUCLEAR DEBACLE BECAUSE IRAN STANDS UP TO US! THEY HAVE NO SHAME, AN ANTI- SOCIAL NEVER DOES.....THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM HAVE BEEN ROYALLY DUPED OR ARE ALSO CHARACTEROLOGICALLY IMPAIRED.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Professor
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sunyc2 on May 4, 2006 1:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who doesn't like John Stewart and Steven Cobert?
Is it possible for a comedian to have a bad night?
Was the video Steven showed at a much higher
humor level than his own live?
Is the President apparently a much better comedian
than a prez? Only a fool would vote for George Jr.
But only someone with a square point would try
to fit it in the round hole. Hey! It's a fact:
the President was much funnier ( with his twin )
than Steven.
Does that mean George is right and Steven is wrong?
Hey? It has nothing to do with it! Hey!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

How does one stand up?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Lauren on May 4, 2006 1:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A thing I noticed in the comments is a wonder of someone willing and able to stand up to the prez. It should be easier.

I had an idea a while back about how to end the drug war. It involves standing up to the prez. I knew the drug war was really about religion and religious freedom. We can sue for that in 'activist courts', but the really effective way to achieve this freedom would be to get the President to grant it to us. That's how one gets things done quickly.

Of course this wasn't going to be very easy with the way President Bush feels about the religious sacrements of the religions involved.

What I have in mind is a petition to the president for our religious freedom. I figured a church and a website would be needed and was blessed to discover the THC Ministry. If you are a sacremental cannabis believer please join our march to freedom.

I figure when we have a million believiers, delivering a petition to the President to grant us our religious freedom and the pardoning of our people should be pretty unignorable. The challenge is getting an audience. I am very proud of prince Stephen. Nice job.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Larry the cable guy says
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jwg on May 4, 2006 2:13 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
'I don't care who you are, that’s funny'. Since this was obviously not the case what is the most concern to me is how intelligent people had so much control not to laugh. When I read the Colbert piece yesterday the people in my office kept asking me what is so funny.

Of course Alternet, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report are my major news sources. When I see Bush now days on the tube I have 'not' whatever he says to get the truth, that or wonder what other story is he obfuscating.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

FWIW
[Report this comment]
Posted by: IntnsRed on May 4, 2006 2:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There's a very insightful article by Chris Dols on the topic of Colbert's appearence here on Counterpunch.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» ****************8 Posted by: decembrist

Comments are closed-

Mishanti
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mishanti2 on May 4, 2006 3:18 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think that the Stephen Colbert speach was wonderful and very true in its "attacks" on the Press and the White House. BUT, I bet he won't get invited to the White House any time in this administration.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

uhh
[Report this comment]
Posted by: nbrown on May 4, 2006 4:21 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I didn't "blame" Bill Clinton for anything.

Read.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Huevos Grandes
[Report this comment]
Posted by: PingoLingo on May 4, 2006 4:38 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Every once in awhile, my faith in humanity and social consciousness is reaffirmed.

Amazing job Stephen, simply amazing....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Did those who invited Colbert know who he was?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: noles1st on May 4, 2006 5:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You will perhaps pardon me for taking exactly the opposite tack as the mainstream media. As Colbert himself would say, "You know, the liberally-biased media, except for Fox."

Did anyone even bother to pay any attention to Colbert's act--did it occur to them that his schtick was all about poking fun at the super-sanctimonious "news men" on the Fox network. "Fair and balanced" my ass is what his entire show was about. He was better at being Bill O'Lielly than Bill was. But it was all mockery.

Somehow the Repubs missed that before they sent out the invite.

For all of those out there who think the Prez is above mockery, get a life. When he has done the dumb-ass shit that he has, someone has to have the "huevos" to call him on it.

Thank God, Colbert did not decide to back down in front of the Prez and the glare of the spotlight.

It is obvious that no one in the mainstream press possesses anything remotely approaching "balls" in the way that Colbert mockingly says it on the Colbert Report. (And I apologize to those who feel that vaginas are threatened by that remark.)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Well now they will have to kill him
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Gregor on May 4, 2006 5:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obviously with Colbert's report, the secret is out, either the GOP doesn't know that everyone knows how rotten to the core they are and obviously the media press didn't realize it either, but when you speak truth to an Emperor sometimes you get your head chopped off!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

thanks for reminding me
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jerseymaiden on May 4, 2006 6:34 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thanks for reminding me abt that shocking wmd "joke" a couple of years ago -- I still can't believe no one said, Uh, you might want to reconsider this, it's really not funny AT ALL...so pathetic. And bush mocking that woman, too, oh my god...this spoiled little frat boy has a lot to answer for.

But man, did colbert rock the house!!!! holy crap!!! I had to pick my jaw up off the floor, I could not believe what he was saying. Best thing that's happened since al gore gave up on the recount!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

King Lear also had a fool
[Report this comment]
Posted by: juno1957 on May 4, 2006 7:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
King Lear was a tragic figure. He committed tragically foolish errors. The only person that could speak truth to the King was his Fool. As a dramatic device, he provided comic relief to the sadness of the tragedy.

'Nuff said.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The royal pain-in-the-ass got the not-so-royal treatment; take it like a man, Georgie-Porgie.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: monkeywrench on May 4, 2006 8:47 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
From the article:
"Nevertheless, Dana Milbank of The Washington Post, appearing on Keith Olbermann's MSNBC program Monday night, joined the ranks of those who attended the dinner who felt Colbert "was not funny." On the other hand, he said the president's routine that night with a Bush impersonator was a howl."

. . .Yeah, and Hitler thrilled us when he showed he could "trip the light fantastic" when he danced his little war jig too. . .

There was something particularly onerous about the mainsteam press toadies getting all giggly and going along with the impersonator joke about our president, who really IS a joke. It's kinda like a variation on an old Soviet truism ("we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us"): in the case of the press attendees, "the president pretends to like being made fun of, and his loyal subjects pretend to laugh with him."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Who cares if Mr. Colbert was funny? Should he have been?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Talpone on May 5, 2006 1:26 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In my my view he was "speaking truth to power". This truth is nothing to laugh about.

The Bush era is pushing the world into increasingly catastrophic political, economic and environmental conditions, and when it all comes crashing down, most likely one of the fascist ideologies waiting in the wings (probably with more than a little financial assistance from some large corporate networks) will take hold of one part of the population (white, where available), who will proceed to massacre the other for everything that went wrong.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Greg Mitchell:another irrational Kerry-bashing moment
[Report this comment]
Posted by: deanorff on May 5, 2006 6:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yo, Greg Mitchell. You can't understand why John Kerry didn't show the video of Bush's "Can't Find my WMD's" slide show in the 2004 campaign and condemn him for it? How about because Kerry didn't want to commit political suicide? Why are so many so willing to forget the political realities of 2004 in their rush to bash John Kerry's campaign? ...Including typically self-destructive Democrats - who refuse to learn a simple lesson from Republicans: Don't Tear Down your Own Candidates. (or ex-presidents, for that matter)
I campaigned for Kerry throughout 2004. In Iowa in January '04, I talked to two dozen registered Democrats. 5 of them (20%) acted as if I was blaspheming Jesus if I so much as Hinted that Bush was anything but an honest and decent man. If John Kerry had hit Bush for the WMD jokes, the mainstream media would have painted him as the cold, mean, angry liberal, the negative campaigner, the bad guy, the "not a good man" guy.
What happened after Kerry said "we should go to war because we Have to not because we Want to" at the Dems '04 convention? One solid month of the media giving free air time to Swift Boat Vets for Bush.
What happened when Kerry came out with his 6-part plan for stablilizing Iraq and winning the war on terror? The media scoffed. They wouldn't even give it serious discussion. Unrealistic, they said. Besides, the strategic details Don't Matter, they claimed, because Kerry had the Same Goal as Bush. How many anti-Bushers caught on to how utterly Insane and irrational that media angle was? They weren't paying attention. They were too busy wimpily "standing up" to Bush. As if that was a heroic accomplishment. Some activists were so out of touch they actually thought Kerry could win if he came out for troop withdrawal in 2004.
You wanted Kerry to talk tough. Howard Dean talks tough. Has he ever gotten a shred of positive press? No. To the "mainstream" press, Howard is the angry, foot-in-mouth radical. Hillary Clinton's "plantation" comment? What did that get her?
Get a Clue. The Media Does Not Like Democrats Who Talk Tough. It Attacks Them. It is the not the job of Democratic candidates to Be Angry. That is the job of Democratic activists. And you don't get angry at your own candidates. You get angry at the mainstream media that "protected" the public from all the negative Iraq-related info that didn't come out until After the 2004 election was over. We activists knew what was going on -- but if we tried to say it, the mainstream treated us as if we were angry, irrational Bush-haters. And the voting public bought into it. So those few of us whose top priority was getting John Kerry elected got Smart -- we emphasized the pro-Kerry argument instead of just anti-Bush. Unfortunately, there weren't enough of us.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Crowd deadening microphone used at conference
[Report this comment]
Posted by: crozbud on May 5, 2006 9:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
According to Wayne Madsen (waynemadsenreport.com), the planners used a crowd deadening mic that night that couldn't pick up the sounds of the audience, which was actually laughing and hooting. This was the same type of mic that set Howard Dean up so that, when he yelled above the noise of the crowd, all we heard was him yelling and sounding unnaturally shrill. These microphones are useful for reporters in traffic, etc. But they can also be used strategically, whether or not that was part of the actual plan, I don't know. Did they anticipate Colbert? Could you hear laughing during the president's speech?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

bet me
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Baron Von Esslingen on May 5, 2006 10:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What do you want to bet that Mark Smith doesn't invite Colbert back for next year's dinner?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The insider disease
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Edward George on May 5, 2006 12:27 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There have always been hanger-ons around seats of power whose only glory is reflected. Their greatest fear is being left out, not one of the circle of insiders. They are psychophants who will laugh at what the current big shot says no matter how inane. It is a sickness that gets more and more virulent as a government ages, even if it's big shots trade places. We have a sick Washington DC desperately in need of people who don't even try to be insiders. Real independents with enough self confidence to ignore the game and do just what the Constitutient and their own thoughts tell them to do. Independents who don't give a single thought to reelection.

Ed George

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

somebody's head is rolling
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Ellen Remore on May 5, 2006 12:33 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
i'm still wondering who the genius was who booked stephen colbert to speak at this dinner. could it be that whoever this person was thought his comedy central persona was genuine, that he was really a bill o'reilly clone? god, talk about not getting the joke! on the other hand, maybe the person who hired colbert realized he was the only comedian in the business who could eviscerate bush properly and love doing it. and god knows, it's about time!! colbert has more balls than the rest of the so-called fourth estate put together!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Beware, Mrs. Colbert
[Report this comment]
Posted by: 3Dgrees on May 6, 2006 8:46 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert was fantastic! Stephen skewered Baby Bush and his moral masquerade while giving the inert media a long overdue reminder of its job - to shine the white hot spot light on White House corruption. Brilliantly done! Unfortunately, I fear for the safety of Stephen's wife ...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

the only reason
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Asses of Evil on May 6, 2006 8:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the satire is so savage is because his policies are so unpopular (and because he has so many waterboys in the press). he doesn't like harsh satire being done to his face? Awwwww......yeah, this war has been so tough personally for him with his daughters in Iraq and, well, being the personal slave to all the big companies who support him. Awwww...it's a hard-knock life when the comedian insults you eh Monkey Boy? Well, if you'd done your homework you would have seen it coming. The guy is independent and relishes it-perhaps you should consider thinking for yourself a bit too. Please, if he wants some sympathy, perhaps he should think about being a bit more sympathetic to the people of the world over whom he has such a huge influence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Greg Bacon on May 8, 2006 6:00 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Colbert's masterful tongue-in-cheek skewering of George and the WH press was wonderful
Finally, someone with enough cajones to speak truth to power confronted Georgie and his press lackeys.

IMHO, believe the press choose to ignore Colbert for two reasons:

1. Colbert callled the press on what they actually are, spineless. They didn't like the truth being tossed into their satiated faces.
2. They were also aghast that Colbert had the audacty, mind you, the audacity, to question his Majesty, King George.
That's a shock they'll never recover from.

Greg Bacon
Ava, MO

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT'S TURBO ROAST
[Report this comment]
Posted by: EBB on May 9, 2006 10:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for any " administration " ( It's an oxymoron to call it a "government ) to achieve real, functional control over the people, it begins by dumbing down, and Numbing out it's potential opponents.

Keep "them" distracted, and, at all cost keep "them" misinformed.

Hitler knew, as some in the "Wanna be the Burning Bush" administration obviously do, that control of the Media is crucial, if they are to achieve their goals.

Judging by current events, and the "reporting" or lack therof, they would seem to have fairly successfully accomplished that.

Bless Stephen Colbert for having BIG BALLS, and the courage that it took to stand face to face with the "President" and tell it like it IS.

It's a real joke that there is any debate about the "good taste" of, or the relative Comedic merit of Stephen Colbert's lambasting of Bush.

Thankfully, He did not choose to simply amuse or distract the crowd, which seems mostly to be what the they were expecting.

Instead, to His credit, Colbert delivered messages that desperately need to be heard by the American people.

He spoke in plain language, which used to be the American way.

He spoke forcefully, which was necessary for his words to penetrate the thick skins of complacency.


President Bush hasn't evidently pissed enough people off YET to be Deposed.

One wonders, considering the number of major Domestic and International blunders made during the Bush administrations, and the staggering DEBTS that these actions have dumped on the shoulders of future generations of American citizens, what it WILL take to provoke America's consciousness to rise, and to begin to adress the real issues that face America, beginning with the removal of this administration

Hopefully Stephen Colbert's roasting of the President, and his administration will contiribute to that.

Someone commented on the Denial process in place within the Bush Government.

Bushees maintain a molecularly tight firewall, through which not one " discouraging word " can pass, otherwise, they could not believe in, or support and impose, their morally bankrupt agendas on the American people


The Bush administrations have shown consistent and total disrespect for the social principles which the Forefathers of America ( who would seem to have been moral men ) upheld as beliefs important enough to incorporate in their Declaration of America's intent to the World at the nation's Birthing.

LIFE has become tenuous for huge numbers of American citizens

America's LIBERTY has been replaced by Tyranny at home and abroad.

EQUALITY of America's citizens is demonstrated daily to be a sham.

America's PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS has been reduced to non-stop shopping.

America's, and , thereby American's FREEDOM, which was maintained by their Democratic process is being stolen from them, by men with evil intent .


EVEN the "decider", who has a statistically dismal record of "getting the message" HAD to hear Stephen Colbert's brilliantly delivered, and extremely inciteful words. ( especially since George was only a few feet away, with no bush or Bushee's to hide behind )

George, however, has repeatedly demonstrated that He would rather listen to a good story than the Truth...

George seems to be the inspiration for the quote " Although He got the Message, he was deaf to the News".

Rise up in Righteous Indignation America, and kick this sick and corrupt administration out of power!

Once you have removed them from power, Prosecute them for their crimes against the FREEDOM and the LIBERTY of Americans, ( not to mention the rest of the world

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

STEPHEN COLBERT'S TURBO ROAST
[Report this comment]
Posted by: EBB on May 9, 2006 10:54 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for any " administration " ( It's an oxymoron to call it a "government ) to achieve real, functional control over the people, it begins by dumbing down, and Numbing out it's potential opponents.

Keep "them" distracted, and, at all cost keep "them" misinformed.

Hitler knew, as some in the "Wanna be the Burning Bush" administration obviously do, that control of the Media is crucial, if they are to achieve their goals.

Judging by current events, and the "reporting" or lack therof, they would seem to have fairly successfully accomplished that.

Bless Stephen Colbert for having BIG BALLS, and the courage that it took to stand face to face with the "President" and tell it like it IS.

It's a real joke that there is any debate about the "good taste" of, or the relative Comedic merit of Stephen Colbert's lambasting of Bush.

Thankfully, He did not choose to simply amuse or distract the crowd, which seems mostly to be what the they were expecting.

Instead, to His credit, Colbert delivered messages that desperately need to be heard by the American people.

He spoke in plain language, which used to be the American way.

He spoke forcefully, which was necessary for his words to penetrate the thick skins of complacency.


President Bush hasn't evidently pissed enough people off YET to be Deposed.

One wonders, considering the number of major Domestic and International blunders made during the Bush administrations, and the staggering DEBTS that these actions have dumped on the shoulders of future generations of American citizens, what it WILL take to provoke America's consciousness to rise, and to begin to adress the real issues that face America, beginning with the removal of this administration

Hopefully Stephen Colbert's roasting of the President, and his administration will contiribute to that.

Someone commented on the Denial process in place within the Bush Government.

Bushees maintain a molecularly tight firewall, through which not one " discouraging word " can pass, otherwise, they could not believe in, or support and impose, their morally bankrupt agendas on the American people


The Bush administrations have shown consistent and total disrespect for the social principles which the Forefathers of America ( who would seem to have been moral men ) upheld as beliefs important enough to incorporate in their Declaration of America's intent to the World at the nation's Birthing.

LIFE has become tenuous for huge numbers of American citizens

America's LIBERTY has been replaced by Tyranny at home and abroad.

EQUALITY of America's citizens is demonstrated daily to be a sham.

America's PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS has been reduced to non-stop shopping.

America's, and , thereby American's FREEDOM, which was maintained by their Democratic process is being stolen from them, by men with evil intent .


EVEN the "decider", who has a statistically dismal record of "getting the message" HAD to hear Stephen Colbert's brilliantly delivered, and extremely inciteful words. ( especially since George was only a few feet away, with no bush or Bushee's to hide behind )

George, however, has repeatedly demonstrated that He would rather listen to a good story than the Truth...

George seems to be the inspiration for the quote " Although He got the Message, he was deaf to the News".

Rise up in Righteous Indignation America, and kick this sick and corrupt administration out of power!

Once you have removed them from power, Prosecute them for their crimes against the FREEDOM and the LIBERTY of Americans, ( not to mention the rest of the world

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Even amost two weeks later...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: form516 on May 9, 2006 3:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
everytime I see a replay of the event somewhere, it just gets sweeter and sweeter. Colbert has given us an event of historical significance. The irony only continues in that most of the people he was talking about still don't get what was really going on (as evidenced by the resulting MS criticism "he was not funny, he was rude") Just precious!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Stephen Colbert Hurray
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cityofangelslady on May 9, 2006 9:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think Stephen Colbert is the best thing to happen in American media since, since, since... Mark Twain.

What a gutsy guy, exactly what we need now to break through and start saying things like they really are.

He was so brave and said what we all wish we could say and right to BUsh's face.

You go, Bro, I love you.
Kay In L.A>

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

A Swift Bomb
[Report this comment]
Posted by: robedal on May 10, 2006 6:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Swift Lays an Egg
by Fawn Lickspittle - Chicago Daily News

The concensus of London insiders is that Jonathan Swift's recent performance at Buckingham Palace was a bomb. His speech "A Modest Proposal" was pronounced "Not funny" by Byron Bloviator of the Los Angeles Times and" in rather poor taste" by Lise Logorrohea of the Washington Post.
The king was not amused, and is reliably reported to have asked rhetorically "Good heavens!, Is the man suggesting we should interfere with the free market in potatoes.? Unthinkable.!"
The New York Times Book Review section was disappointed at Swift's failure to make the transition from children's literature (Gulliver's Travels) to more adult fare and suggests that he confine himself to less weighty matter if he wants to succeed as an author.
Government spokesperson Karl Coprology suggests that Swift's denial of any financial interest in the scheme (*) was less than sincere. "Although Mr. Swift may not have any edible offspring, I think one should look at the financial records of the family in total." he said, in an exclusive interview granted to this reporter.

(*) "I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing." was less

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Colbert: sign of hope; but the answer isn't what you think
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BJT on May 10, 2006 7:21 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The fact that Colbert was allowed to give our dictator a good ribbing is a sign of hope. America isn't so far gone that it self-censors to that degree.

However, this article is wrong, wrong, wrong. We don't need a more leftward-leaning media. "Progressives" don't need bigger media voices. Progressives are every bit as statist as the neocons. If it is your goal to use government programs to solve problems, you are already in the wrong thinking. The way to free people and secure their prosperity, safety and health is to elimiate government interference, not propagate it.

What we really need are liberal voices in the classical sense. Don't understand classical liberalism? Then you don't understand what America was founded upon. Read about it at mises.org or hear about how to restore liberty to your own life from the recorded conference calls at sorce190.com. Do research at famguardian.org. Read Edward Griffin's "The Creature from Jekyll Island." Get clued in to the Liberty Dollar, and how to circumvent and abolish the Federal Reserve, the biggest source of problems in America today.

We need voices for LIMITED GOVERNMENT, NATURAL RIGHTS (civil rights can always be taken away!) and social and economic LIBERTY.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
85
89
95
00
6
1
15
0
23
30
35
56
63
68
76
82
93
01
07
12
27
21
34
40
47
55
60
66
74
85
91
13

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
19
27
37
45
49
55
62
66
73
79
87
91
10
15
31
38
46
51
55
61
66
75
81
87
94
99
06
70
75
59
83
91
96
04
10
14
20
25

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

re
[Report this comment]
Posted by: loralorite on Jan 11, 2007 4:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
 
Advertisement
From The Blog
 
The Hollywood Double Standard: Tiger gets cooked, Charlie Sheen gets another free pass