Mocking Bush is my patriotic duty - Bill Maher

[NVMojo]

Sept. 8, 2006 | New rule: Bad presidents happen to good people. Amid all the 9/11 anniversary talk about what will keep us safe, let me suggest that in a world turned hostile to America, the smartest message we can send to those beyond our shores is, "We're not with stupid." Therefore, I contend -- with all seriousness -- that ridiculing this president is now the most patriotic thing you can do. Let our allies and our enemies alike know that there's a whole swath of Americans desperate to distance themselves from Bush's foreign policies. And that's just Republicans running for reelection.

Now, of course, you're gonna say, "But Bill, ridiculing Bush is like shooting fish in a barrel," or, as Dick Cheney calls it, "hunting." Maybe, but right now it's important, because America is an easily misunderstood country these days -- a lot of the time it's hard to make out what we're saying over the bombs we're dropping.

But we are not all people who think putting a boot in your ass is the way to solve problems, because even allowing that my foot lodged in your ass would feel good, which I don't -- what then? OK, my boot is in your ass, but I can't get it out, so I'm not happy, and it's in you, so you're not happy -- there's no exit strategy.

Anyone who opposes the indefinite occupation of Iraq shouldn't be labeled an al-Qaida supporter. That's like saying that if I tell my exterminator that there are more efficient ways to rid the house of vermin than hitting them with a hammer, I'm "for the rats."

Questioning whether it still makes sense to keep troops under fire is supporting the troops. Asking for a plan supports the troops; asking when they'll be leaving supports the troops. Sitting around parsing the definition of "civil war" doesn't support the troops, it supports the president, and he's not a soldier, he just plays one on TV.

So yes, for the sake of homeland security, I ridicule the president -- but it gives me no pleasure to paint him as a dolt, a rube, a yokel on the world stage, a submental, three bricks shy of a load, a Gilligan unable to find his own ass with two hands. Or, as Sean Hannity calls it, "Reaganesque."

No, it pains me to say these things, because I know deep down George Bush has something extra -- a chromosome. Cruel? Perhaps, but it may just have saved lives. By doing the extra chromosome joke, I sent a message to a young Muslim man somewhere in the world who's on a slow burn about this country, and perhaps got him to think, "Maybe the people of America aren't so bad. Maybe it's just the rodeo clown who leads them. Maybe the people 'get it.'" We do, Achmed, we do!

more...

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/09/08/maher/index.html

[babylonsister]

1. I may be in the minority, but his show, with the exception of

Netanyahu, rocked last night!

[Democrat 4 Ever]

3. I enjoyed his show last night, too. The list of guests for next week

sounded like it was going to be neocon week. Right now I can't remember who was listed at the end of the show. I'll have to fire up the TiVo and see if I caught that on tape later and post it.

I was surprised at P. J. - he kept taking pot shots at the Clintons. Sounds like he really hates them. And the time wasted on Netanyahu can never be gotten back. Netanyahu offered nothing new and I feel like it was a PR shot trying to negate some of the damage with all of the destruction in Lebanon. Now, I'm not taking sides, but felt his interview was a total sell out for Maher.

[ShockediSay]

2. How can anyone trust * "He said: - - What happened was - - "

"If you trust THEM, you should vote for THEM (and keep going in the same direction)."

"If you think it's time for a change, vote for ....."

[AX10]

4. A broken clock is right twice a day.

[sarcasmo]

5. The Rodeo Clown, the new nickname for 43.

Kick and Nom a great show. Rob Thomas was actually impressive.

[gulliver]

6. Rodeo clowns are actually brave, of course.

Bush is no rodeo clown. Maybe the stuff on the rodeo clown's boots.

[cyr330]

7. Why don't we hear more people like Bill?

The emperor is wearing no clothes, and it's still a rare thing to have someone declare it on the public airwaves. It's totally refreshing to hear Bill Mahrer tell it like it is.