Pharyngula: Jon Stewart is brilliant

#1

Posted by: Wayne Walker | September 5, 2008 7:44 AM

Jon Stewart should be taught in science class... because he is God.

#2

Posted by: Doyle | September 5, 2008 7:45 AM

this was the greatest Daily Show segment ever. I wondered which of the main stream shows would "borrow" the footage yesterday or today, or even just make the same points (this was aired Wednesday) but I'm still waiting.

#3

Posted by: KK | September 5, 2008 7:46 AM

Second that.

Watched it live, then watched it a couple more times online, and shared it with friends. Precious moments like these are rare and valuable. Shout out hypocrisy.

#4

Posted by: Greg Laden | September 5, 2008 7:49 AM

My friend (I'll call her Betsy) is in the background feeding the production staff in Saint Paul.

#5

Posted by: Fedor | September 5, 2008 7:52 AM

Oh my God!!! The blatant HYPOCRISY is overwhelming...

#6

Posted by: clinteas | September 5, 2008 7:54 AM

If only average joe would watch Jon Stewart !

#7

Posted by: Greg Laden | September 5, 2008 7:55 AM

Absolutely brilliant.

#8

Posted by: Matt7895 | September 5, 2008 7:57 AM

Jon Stewart is funny, and the segment was very well done, but why oh why does he have such morons in his audience? Screaming and whooping at everything....

#9

Posted by: Carlie | September 5, 2008 7:57 AM

And in other news, apparently McCain's speech last night had him in front of a backdrop of Walter Reed Middle School, not Walter Reed Medical Center. I guess no one in the Republican Party knows what the military hospital looks like.

#10

Posted by: Greg | September 5, 2008 7:57 AM

The hypocrisy, it burns!!

#11

Posted by: Pjotr | September 5, 2008 7:58 AM

Yes, that segment was fantastic. The gall of these people...

#12

Posted by: Nick Tacik | September 5, 2008 8:00 AM

Canadians: http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart/full-episodes/september-3-2008/#clip89002

#13

Posted by: Andrés Diplotti | September 5, 2008 8:00 AM

Can't watch the video on this computer, but... Isn't exposing the hypocrisy of conservatives the infamous "liberal bias of the media"? ;)

#14

Posted by: Boudicca | September 5, 2008 8:02 AM

Thanks for posting this. Every American of voting age needs to see this segment.
Bou

#15

Posted by: Tobor Redrum | September 5, 2008 8:03 AM

There are now only two major political parties in this country, the Democrats and the Hipocrites.

Vote accordingly.

#16

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 8:04 AM

I think there is noone I dislike more in American politics than Karl Rove.

This guy is an evil, lying, dishonest, pig.

There should be many more people who seriously smack him like Jon Stewart.

It's unbelievable, that after all the damage he has done, and having been forced to quit his position in Bush's administration, there are still some news networks who are using him.

If I met him, I would not be capable to resist in spitting in his face.

#17

Posted by: Lilly de Lure | September 5, 2008 8:06 AM

Brilliant - it's the fact that John Stewart hardly needs to say anything throughout, the sheer Republican hypocrisy provides the punchlines all by itself!

Woot!

#18

Posted by: Mystyk | September 5, 2008 8:09 AM

In the words of one of my other favorite hangouts (MetaFilter):

[this is good]

#19

Posted by: clinteas | September 5, 2008 8:10 AM

@ Neg,no 16

//I think there is noone I dislike more in American politics than Karl Rove.
This guy is an evil, lying, dishonest, pig. //

Did you watch the Rep's convention? The speeches of Giuliani,or Romney?? Take your pick out of the dishonest lying pigs mate,plenty around.....

#20

Posted by: Dan B. | September 5, 2008 8:13 AM

I love watching the Daily Show because I actually get MORE background and context on news stories than with the normal cable news channels. That's also the saddest things about watching the Daily Show. =(

#21

Posted by: MH | September 5, 2008 8:14 AM

Incredible! Stewart '08!

Problem is that even if you got Republicans to watch that clip, they still would deny that their fellows were guilty of hypocrisy. They are just too skilled at double-think.

#22

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 8:15 AM

Clinteas,

I agree, there's plenty of them, but Karl Rove, somehow, seems to beat them all. Maybe it's just an emotional reaction to his "face", but I think it's also got to do with the amount of worldwide damage he has done when advising Bush in the white house with all his pathetic preconceptions and biases. Way more than Guliani or Romney, or ...

#23

Posted by: James | September 5, 2008 8:17 AM

Jon Stewart rocks, and the Republicans suck, so much!

#24

Posted by: Horwood Beer-Master | September 5, 2008 8:18 AM

Video doesn't work for me. I get,
BUFFERING...
BUFFERING...
BUFFERING...
BUFFERING...
BUFFERING...
Play again?

AGAIN!? You haven't yet played ONCE.

???

#25

Posted by: khops | September 5, 2008 8:24 AM

The whole episode that the clip is from is wonderful. Stewart is one of the few journalists that will actually call guests on their bullshit in person, which is sad since it is after all the Daily Show.

For anyone who's interested, he has Newt Gingrich on at the end, and he spanks him for Palin's hipocracy regarding her daughter's private decision about her baby and how Palin wants to take that choice away from the rest of us.

#26

Posted by: clinteas | September 5, 2008 8:24 AM

Horwood,

the link to the video might have been pharyngulated.....

#27

Posted by: bunnycatch3r | September 5, 2008 8:25 AM

Ok,Ok we get it PZ... "Democrats good...Republicans bad". Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your simple little world.

#28

Posted by: Matt Heath | September 5, 2008 8:31 AM

Horwood, Comedy Central videos always seem to stream too slowly. Have the youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1A0ts88LXE

#29

Posted by: Wrysmile | September 5, 2008 8:32 AM

Here's the You Tube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2l45yu9vMA

#30

Posted by: clinteas | September 5, 2008 8:32 AM

@ 27,bunny,

// Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your simple little world.//

how about trying out a little reality,real arguments and stuff for a change? Whats your take on Rove's statements shown in that vid? Id like to hear it,lets have a chat about it !

#31

Posted by: Maria | September 5, 2008 8:34 AM

bunnycatch3r... Did you actually watch the clip? Perhaps our world is simple because when we say "X is not enough experience for a VP" we imply "0.1X is not enough experience either".

You do need a very complex mind to think that either of those talking heads were being honest.

Aaaaaaaanyways, just wanted to say that Jon Stewart should be cloned and I should get a copy.

#32

Posted by: Mike K | September 5, 2008 8:35 AM

Yes, Stuart is brilliant!

For those with problems watching the thing:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/

#33

Posted by: Sleeping at the Console | September 5, 2008 8:36 AM

That was fantastic. Of course those who really needs to see this won't, and if a few of them do, they will dismiss it for no reason.

#34

Posted by: Mena | September 5, 2008 8:40 AM

Um, bunnycatch3r, it's about hypocrisy, not about party. It just seems like these guys do it every time they get a chance and people just continue to believe everything that comes out of their mouths because they have an R next to their name. You know, "Change that the gullible can believe in" should be their motto...

#35

Posted by: Tired and Frustrated | September 5, 2008 8:41 AM

I can only assume that bunnycatch3r didn't watch the segment and if he did, did not understand it, or if he did understand it still thinks we didn't understand it and so therefore he can safely dismiss it and expect us to go along like sheep.

#36

Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | September 5, 2008 8:41 AM

Karl Rove and Bill O'Reilly talking out of both sides of their mouths?

Never

#37

Posted by: Horwood Beer-Master | September 5, 2008 8:43 AM

Thanks Matt H and Wrysmile.

#38

Posted by: Jer | September 5, 2008 8:43 AM

#27 bunnycatch3r:

LURK MOAR! I've you've followed this site for any length of time you'd know PZ is just as hard on the Dems when it's deserved.

#39

Posted by: James | September 5, 2008 8:45 AM

Maria @ #31

Apparently you are not the only one who thought that - from a past xkcd... http://xkcd.com/360/

James

#40

Posted by: mn | September 5, 2008 8:46 AM

"she's a [...] social conservative and reformer [...]". Huh ? She wants to "reform" society as in stir it away from progressive concepts ?? Whacky americans .....

#41

Posted by: Maria | September 5, 2008 8:49 AM

James @39,

I hadn't seen that one! So funny. Thanks!

#42

Posted by: bunnycatch3r | September 5, 2008 8:51 AM

"Watch him demolish the Republicans with their own words." There is no denying that Republicans talk out of both sides of their mouths. But is this something only Republicans do or is it a characteristic of politicians? PZ seems to suggest again and again that hypocrisy and corruption exist exclusively within one party. No matter who wins the election the immortal words of the Who will ring true:"Meet the new boss...same as the old boss". Oh and don't try to disagree with me because I'm smarter than all of you.

#43

Posted by: Benjamin Geiger | September 5, 2008 8:58 AM

bunnycatch3r @ 42:

Of course he's smarter than you. He's got a science degree.

And even if it weren't true, it still wouldn't keep your statement from being bullshit.

#44

Posted by: Sigmund | September 5, 2008 8:58 AM

Someone's gonna get it in the neck for not realizing that most of McCains speech had him standing directly in front of a blue or green screen.

#45

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 9:02 AM

But is this something only Republicans do or is it a characteristic of politicians?

it's a characteristic of dishonest people. When you find obvious evidence of it like in this video, you point the finger at it.
Unless you think one should defend it.

So please, do point out other instances of such evident dishonesty from the other side. Let's see it, and let's see how relevant it is for this election.

I'm quite sure it exists, but I'm also quite certain that the republicans and their noise machines are way more adepts of it...

#46

Posted by: MH | September 5, 2008 9:08 AM

bunnycatch3r #42 asked "But is this something only Republicans do or is it a characteristic of politicians?"

Well, if you've got some examples of democrats being hypocritical, please post them here.

#47

Posted by: J-Dog | September 5, 2008 9:15 AM

I trust him more than the main stream media. Not sure what this means, but I do. And the above segment is absolutely brilliant. This clip should be required viewing for all voters.

#48

Posted by: Vidar | September 5, 2008 9:15 AM

Is the Daily Show entertainment, or news?
Also, why do I get the feeling that this show is more informative than the other/legit news shows?
I don't live in America, so I probably don't get the full picture. Does anyone care to tell me just what the Daily Show is?

#49

Posted by: Maria | September 5, 2008 9:17 AM

I personally think it's not just "republicans". Except for the McCain staffer, these are supposed to be "fair and balanced" journalists. Even Rove's appearance is as an expert and commentator, not as a politician. So yeah, when their job is to provide the audience with analysis, and they are so intellectually dishonest, it's fair to point that out.

I'm sure you won't find footage of commentators attacking Palin or McCain and defending Obama or Biden for exactly the same behavior. If you do, you should show it, because it will be equally wrong.

#50

Posted by: Sili | September 5, 2008 9:18 AM

That was actually incredibly sad.

Srsly, my heart is sinking. I doubt that they even recognise their inconsistency, themselves. I have little doubt their base does, that's for sure.

You're gonna lose sooooo bad. I just know it. I'd offer you political asylum over here, but we're having increasingly pigheade 'conservatives' (i.e. xenophobes) in charge here, too.

#51

Posted by: llewelly | September 5, 2008 9:19 AM

PZ seems to suggest again and again that hypocrisy and corruption exist exclusively within one party.

Wrong, wrong .
It's funny, PZ has attacked the Democratic party many times, but every time he attacks the Republican party, their fanboys get all upset, and are very, very sure PZ ignores the faults of the Democratic party. They are like the Catholics who assume PZ never attacks the Muslim religion.

#52

Posted by: Your Average Joel | September 5, 2008 9:21 AM

Video doesn't work for me...

I usually go to hulu.com and watch the Daily Show. They don't seem to have that buffering problem.

#53

Posted by: bunnycatch3r | September 5, 2008 9:22 AM

At @43 I don't have a science degree. In all seriousness I'm not that smart and am in fact quite under qualified to comment on most of PZ's posts. I just wanted to offer an observation. When you folks discuss science I'm impressed at your resolve to get at the truth no matter how ugly or unpleasant it may appear. However, when the topic shifts to politics the room darkens and the arguments are of no greater calibre than that of a religious debate.

#54

Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | September 5, 2008 9:24 AM

ROTFL!

Hmmmm. Is it hypocrisy? Or is it doublethink? Or both?

Doesn't matter. Either of them alone would render a person unfit for office.

I agree, there's plenty of them, but Karl Rove, somehow, seems to beat them all. Maybe it's just an emotional reaction to his "face"

I react much more strongly to ugly women than to ugly men. With you I expect it to be the other way around.

But is this something only Republicans do or is it a characteristic of politicians?

The tu quoque argument is a logical fallacy. And reality has a well-known liberal bias.

Show me an example of hypocrisy, from anyone, and I will point and laugh. If Republicans do it more often or more all-encompassingly, that's their problem, not mine.

#55

Posted by: Joel | September 5, 2008 9:24 AM

I don't live in America, so I probably don't get the full picture. Does anyone care to tell me just what the Daily Show is?

The Daily Show is a news show parody, which provides better news coverage than any of the professional news channels.

#56

Posted by: Kel | September 5, 2008 9:26 AM

This was pure win.

#57

Posted by: 386sx | September 5, 2008 9:29 AM

Wow dude, all those people on the video were like, "Blah blah blabbity blah blah blah", like they knew exactly what they were talking about, and like they meant every word of what they were saying, but they were all completely full of crap! Every last one of them. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen!

#58

Posted by: llewelly | September 5, 2008 9:32 AM

Vidar:

I don't live in America, so I probably don't get the full picture. Does anyone care to tell me just what the Daily Show is?

Along with the Colbert report, it's the closest thing America has to objective TV news.

Thing is ... both shows were intended to mock TV news, not report it.

If there is a weird, hapless, alternate universe where The Onion's reporting bears a closer resemblance to reality than that of the The Guardian , the Daily Show is like The Onion of that strange and unfortunate world.

#59

Posted by: John C. Randolph | September 5, 2008 9:32 AM

But is this something only Republicans do or is it a characteristic of politicians?

Gee, that's a good question. I wonder what these people would have to say about that:

http://www.truveo.com/Democrats-supporting-the-war-in-Iraq/id/2137178418

-jcr

#60

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 9:35 AM

I react much more strongly to ugly women than to ugly men.

I don't think I react more to an ugly man than an ugly woman.
But it's the combination of uglyness, and particularly pig face type like Karl Rove, and dextreme dishonest assholeness, that makes me react so negatively...

#61

Posted by: Vidar | September 5, 2008 9:35 AM

@55, Joel
Thanks.

That's really sad and disturbing, actually.

#62

Posted by: Nerd of Redhead | September 5, 2008 9:35 AM

Loved it.
It would be great to see commercials using each portion of the clip just a week or so ahead of the election. I'll leave the message to the marketing people.

#63

Posted by: Fire Ant | September 5, 2008 9:36 AM

bunnycatch3r's comments regarding The Daily Show display his or her lack of viewing time.......Stewart and his crew are equal opportunity satirists, poking at all the bullshit from all sides of the political aisle (sort of like when MAD magazine was at it's peak of political satire). He says time and time again that they are a comdey news show on basic cable, and yet his use of past video clips of what people actually say is brilliant, and sadly not done by real news stations.......

#64

Posted by: freelunch | September 5, 2008 9:38 AM

The Daily Show is a news show parody, which provides better news coverage than any of the professional news channels.

Something that Jon Stewart complains about to every newsman in earshot. Unfortunately this has not caused any notable improvement on the part of professional journalism. At least he doesn't have Crossfire ("you're hurting America") to kick around any more.

#65

Posted by: Vidar | September 5, 2008 9:44 AM

@64 freelunch

Makes you wonder what it takes to improve American news reporting, doesn't it.
How did things get this bad?

#66

Posted by: bunnycatch3r | September 5, 2008 9:45 AM

@63 Agreed. I don't own a television and have never seen The Daily Show. The clip was brilliant in how it exposed dishonesty. If Jon Stewart consistently does this sort of thing to all political parties then I am definitely for him.

#67

Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp, KoT | September 5, 2008 9:53 AM

Makes you wonder what it takes to improve American news reporting, doesn't it. How did things get this bad?

Competing with the Internet. Traditional news had to move to more entertainment than information.

#68

Posted by: Ranson | September 5, 2008 9:54 AM

@ Vidar

A lot of it comes down to our quick-hit, sound bite society. If we can't learn about it in 15 seconds or less, we don't need to know about it. Add to that the ability to compartmentalize the news you receive by going to a news source that only gives one perspective on an issue.

The fact that Stewart fills the role that he does is a good thing, though, and a lot of the mainstream TV news icons recognize this. Koppel, Williams, Brokaw -- they all seem to recognize that Stewart has a place at the table. He says things that they are often prevented from, or at least in as direct a manner as he can. They can't say "bullshit" for fear of losing face and status, whereas he can, because he has no face or status to lose. Thus, paradoxically, he gains face and status.

It's interesting in that he's filling the classic medieval role of court jester -- often the only person who could tell a monarch off without much fear of reprisal. I'd compare him to a modern Stańczyk.

#69

Posted by: Renee | September 5, 2008 9:55 AM

I saw that right after Palin's speech and it made me both happy and angry. Happy, because someone with a pretty large viewership is slamming the republicans on their lies, and angry, because I know that the people who need to see it most won't even glance at it.

As I said to my parents "Have these people no self-awareness AT ALL?"

#70

Posted by: Marty | September 5, 2008 9:57 AM

Vidar @ 48: The Daily Show is a news satire show on a basic cable channel in the US. It runs Monday through Thursday most weeks. As is often the case, satire gets to the truth in ways that conventional reporting cannot.

This segment was brilliant in using their own words to illustrate the double standards at play. "The Daily Show" is appointment TV for me.

Another classic segment was during the MSM wall-to-wall coverage of Reagan's funeral. Daily Show ran with Ashcroft's testimony before Congress on the torture memo issue (I think-- possibly Plame). Ashcroft, the AG at the time, refused to turn over documents that had been subpeona'd. He wasn't claiming executive privilege, didn't offer an explanation, he just wasn't doing it. Blatant contempt of Congress, a genuine Constitutional crisis-- no coverage anywhere on the mainstream news.

As for the Dem v. Rep discussion above, it bears noting that Rove, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, etc., are whores for POWER. Rove, who has sometimes been identified as an atheist, panders to the gullible religionists so that his clients can wield more power. He doesn't believe the crap he spouts-- he will say anything that will get his clients more power. There are power whores in both parties. Some are more blatant about being mouthpieces for political parties than others.

#71

Posted by: Sven DiMilo | September 5, 2008 9:57 AM

Someone's gonna get it in the neck for not realizing that most of McCains speech had him standing directly in front of a blue or green screen.

Not sure about the blue (didn't watch; was already queasy), but the apparent green screen was actually a detail of the lawn of a building that was projected behind him. Which building? The Walter Reed...Middle School in North Hollywood, CA. Makes perfect sense, right?

And, yes, classic Stewart. So well done.

#72

Posted by: Kel | September 5, 2008 10:07 AM

At least he doesn't have Crossfire ("you're hurting America") to kick around any more.

Stewart on Crossfire was EPIC!

Tonight's Daily Show was really good too. As was The Colbert Report. Him greenscreening Cindy McCain's dress was pure win.

#73

Posted by: Maria | September 5, 2008 10:07 AM

The last time McCain was seen in front of a green background, Colbert launched the "make McCain interesting" campaign, inviting fans to use their mad video editing skills. Too bad he officially ended it on Wednesday...

#74

Posted by: Marty | September 5, 2008 10:14 AM

JCR @ 59:

Good video, but not parallel. Parallel would be a clip of, say, Hillary or Harry Reid saying that they support the war, juxtaposed with clips of them saying that they never supported the war.

This just shows that several Democrats believed the intelligence supplied to them by others. Intelligence, it seems that was incorrect, possibly fabricated. Gullibility is not the same as lying.

#75

Posted by: JB | September 5, 2008 10:18 AM

Jon Steward is brilliant. Exposing hypocrisy is very good.

The same can unfortunately not be said for the comments in this forum.

Prejudice often work like this: People believe in something. When they observe evidence that confirms your belief, their belief is strengthened. Often people seek out evidence like that. Evidence that goes against their belief is avoided or dismissed when it cannot be avoided. Often the messenger bringing such evidence is attacked.

This is very human. We all do this. It's a result of the very necessary ability we have to sort out and organise our view of the world we live in.

The question is, how much do we do this? Are we aware of our selves when we do it? Can we correct our selves?

Most of your read this blog because it writes about stuff you agree with. I do that to. We seek confirmation of our believes.

But I agree with bunnycatch3r, things seems to get darker when politics are being discussed. You peolpe who critisize religious people in other circumstances, appear to be very religious about your political stand. "Democrats good, Hypocrits ... sorry ... Republicans bad" seems to be a very good description of the general feeling in here. (I'm sure most right wing biased forums are no better).

This is my personal oppinion anyway, and nothing more than that. I don't expect most of you to agree, but if I make some of you think twice about this, it was worth the time I spent writing it.

A nice weekend to you all. :)

#76

Posted by: bunnycatch3r | September 5, 2008 10:19 AM

@74
Understood. So, you're just being gullible not untruthful.

#77

Posted by: Cafeeine | September 5, 2008 10:31 AM

@76
Lets assume politicians from all sides are equally hypocritical at heart.

Is it gullibility to notice that one side is being so openly mendacious? And that the audience they direct these lies to seem oblivious?

The issue here is not as much the hypocrisy, but that it is proffered so openly and the people seem numb about it.

Offer me similar examples from the Democratic side if you want to disprove this.

#78

Posted by: Dave M | September 5, 2008 10:35 AM

bunnycatch3r, you should be on FOX "News" with snide comments like that which do nothing to further the debate.

#79

Posted by: ajay | September 5, 2008 10:40 AM

Bunny, JB: I for one would love to see a similar compilation for Democrats. Do you have one you could post or link to?

#80

Posted by: CDubya | September 5, 2008 10:41 AM

If you're wondering why our news media doesn't do what Jon and Stephen do I suspect the last two weeks of The Daily Show (TDS) offer the answer. Every one of the "correspondents" of TDS as well as the show itself were in the respective cities for each convention. If coverage in past years by TDS is any indication they all had press passes and they would all be roaming the halls of the convention centers as it was going on. Any "reporting" done for the past two weeks has been in front of green screens or outside the convention centers. The word is out... don't talk to The Daily Show (Republicans AND Democrats.)

It's all about access. If you piss the politicians off you find yourself persona non grata. For our current 24 hour news cycle that would be a career death sentence. The only real news show that I've seen do anything similar to what is shown in the clip is Meet the Press but sadly Tim Russert was the best at it and he is no longer with us. But even Russert seemed aware that there was a line you couldn't cross and often didn't go for the jugular when I thought he could easily have done so with big name politicians.

#81

Posted by: OJ | September 5, 2008 11:00 AM

So fantastic. If only it wasn't real.

#82

Posted by: Dahan | September 5, 2008 11:04 AM

My wife is the managing director of the History Theatre here in Saint Paul where they've been shooting all week. It's been a great (although insanely busy) time for her. Ive gotten to meet some of the folks involved. Jon's been very cool and everyone else has been professional and nice.

I get to see the live taping tonight in the VIP section, so eat your heart out folks!

#83

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 11:14 AM

Many people here have asked bunnycatch3r to come up with some evidence of such overt and absolutely obvious dishonesty from the democratic side (not the kind subject to interpretation Ok ?).

But no, he can't find any, but still continues to "assume" that it's all the same...

Why do people like him always want to go against reality and make such baseless claims ?

#84

Posted by: Patches | September 5, 2008 11:20 AM

There was a hillarious segment on last night's show where the Republican delegates were lauding Bristol Palin for her decision to keep her baby and lambasting anyone who sought to politicize a personal family decision.

And then were caught stumbling over themselves trying to reason how this standpoint was completely different from being pro-choice.

#85

Posted by: Ouchimoo | September 5, 2008 11:21 AM

I don't own a television and have never seen The Daily Show. The clip was brilliant in how it exposed dishonesty. If Jon Stewart consistently does this sort of thing to all political parties then I am definitely for him.

He does, when they covered the DNC, they rip in to Clinton.

CDubya

The word is out... don't talk to The Daily Show (Republicans AND Democrats.

Hmmm, I read somewhere that the media was just oogling John Stewart and wanted to know why so many politicians were just scrambling to get onto the Daily Show and the Colbert Report.

BTW I was listening to MPR's Morning Edition this morning. The mayor of Minneapolis was getting interviewed, and I just LOLed when he was talking about how he was getting calls from people who were saying "yeah I just seen your city skyline from the Daily Show!" It was really funny that was the first 'news' station he mentioned.

#86

Posted by: Ian Gould | September 5, 2008 11:29 AM

An honest (and hopefully inoffensive) question from a foreigner:

How the fuck did the country that virtually invented modern democracy; that produced Washington, Jefferson, Franklin et al; that has led the world in the arts and sciences for the last couple of centuries, end up with these fucktards in charge?

Added bonus question: what the fuck happened to the party of Lincoln and Roosevelt?

#87

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 11:30 AM

BTW Carolinaguitarman,

I'm a leftist, but I just don't care about Sarah Palin's private life.

I'm french, and here, we do not investigate our politicians private lives. Its' a matter of principles and we hold very strictly to it.

But it also works both ways, we also don't care if she's mother of 5 or a lesbian. It has no relevance Ok? The mayor of Paris, Pierre Delanoé, and possible candidate to the presidency, is openly gay. Nobody cares, appart from some 10-20% ultra-conservative religious idiots who won't have any impact on the election.

So if the GOP could stop mentionning to everybody who wants to hear it that she's so worthy because she's the mother of 5, that would help.

#88

Posted by: John C. Randolph | September 5, 2008 11:31 AM

Marty,

If you want to see some lying, here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc

Lying at the beginning, followed by some decent satrical video compositing.

And, if you should ever have occasion to play poker with Bill Clinton, his "tell" is when he points that finger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs

-jcr

#89

Posted by: negentropyeater | September 5, 2008 11:33 AM

Sorry comment 87 was meant for another thread...

#90

Posted by: dsmccoy | September 5, 2008 11:41 AM

These clips are great.

I only wish this stuff could be run on Fox or the stations the conservatives watch.

Has anybody pointed out yet that the population of that town Palin was mayor of has about a tenth the number of people as were in the hall she spoke at the other night?

And that before he was a Senator, Barack Obama was a state legislator representing the 13th congressional district in Illinois, a district with a population greater than that of the entire state of Alaska!!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27_13th_congressional_district

population: 781,037

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska

population: 683,478

#91

Posted by: Ian Gould | September 5, 2008 11:42 AM

"Well, if you've got some examples of democrats being hypocritical, please post them here."

John Edwards denied having an affair.

Al Gore repeatedly made a big deal about how he sold off the family's tobacco interests to honor his dying sister's wishes - but actually retained them for about a decade after her death.

So that's Democrats 2: Republicans 50,000+
So that's

#92

Posted by: minimalist | September 5, 2008 11:45 AM

Ian, those aren't even really examples of hypocrisy so much as garden-variety lying. If, say, Edwards were relentlessly decrying adultery, pursuing legislation to stone all adulterers, etc., then that would be hypocritical.

#93

Posted by: CDubya | September 5, 2008 11:50 AM

I'm sure you're right, Ouchimoo. The smart ones do go on the show because they are finally figuring out it's better to give Jon and Stephen access. Some of them actually do quite well. If they don't, Jon and Stephen will have no compunction about making something up that will almost certainly be less flattering. You might even call it blackmail. That works for Jon and Stephen but I don't see how it can for real news shows without them becoming even more tabloid than they already are.

#94

Posted by: andrew | September 5, 2008 11:54 AM

this is sheer genius. it doesnt get any better than this

i made a video about Palin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dWfiwfF-Dc

Please check it out!!!!

#95

Posted by: BK | September 5, 2008 11:56 AM

Good God (who I dont think exists). Democrats are never hypocritical?

A little news. We are ALL hypocritical. It's part of the human makeup. Surely you scientist dudes/dude-ettes are aware of this?

The more I read the comments section of this site the more I am convinced that the average age around here must be about 20.

#96

Posted by: John C. Randolph | September 5, 2008 11:58 AM

Ian,

It all started with Alexander Hamilton. His fondest wish was for a dictatorial presidency, and he started the process of concentration of power that's brought us to this point.

what the fuck happened to the party of Lincoln and Roosevelt?

Funny you should mention them. They were each responsible for tremendous increases in the power of the federal government, and the presidency in particular.

To really understand what these two parties are and where they came from you'd need to study the period right before, and a couple of decades after the civil war, where the republicans were the party of occupation (like now), and the democrats were the party of southern resistance.

It really is a fascinating subject, how the par

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