In the mood for a bitter laugh?

[whometense]

Bill Maher has an essay up on Salon. I don't find his standup funny. At all. But I liked this, titled, Mocking Bush is my patriotic duty: A comedian explains how cruel jokes about the president can stop terrorism.

And that's why making fun of the president keeps this country safe. The proof? I've been doing it nonstop for years, and there hasn't been another attack. Maybe the reason they haven't attacked us again is they figured we're already suffering enough.

If I could explain one thing about George W. Bush to the rest of the world it's this: We don't know what the hell he's saying either! Trust me, foreigners, there's nothing lost in translation, it's just as incoherent in the original English. Yes, we voted for him -- twice -- but that's because we're stupid, not because we're bad. Bush is just one of those things that are really popular for a few years and then almost overnight become completely embarrassing. You know, like leg warmers, or Hootie and the Blowfish, or white people going, "Oh no you di-int."

[wisteria]

1. That is very funny. I am glad you found it. I am saving it for dinner talk

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. Bill Maher's writing is pretty funny

I bought the book "New Rules" for my sister and laughed through much of it.

As a stand up comedian he's too snarky for it's own sake and too cynical/hip/jaded, but as a comedic writer, he's pretty funny. The "too kool for everything" vibe seems to be diluted.

[whometense]

3. I agree with you -

his snideness interacts badly with the humor.

[_dynamicdems]

4. I have that book too! It's great!

And Bill is starting to warm up to Kerry. I wouldn't buy his book until he said something decent about Kerry. I'm glad he did because the book is funny.

[_dynamicdems]

5. We certainly are suffering enough.

But we still need to laugh.

:7