Why what Colbert did matters...

[Mythsaje]

Yes, another Colbert thread. Isn't it awful? And from ME, no less.

Seriously, I was at work today and the subject of the Spanish version of the anthem came up. One woman, the daughter of a Japanese immigrant, in fact, was remarking that it was "wrong" for some inexplicable reason I never did manage to grasp.

I pointed out that something very much like it had been played at Bush's inauguration and another co-worker, who's an immigrant from the Philippines, chimed in, saying he remembered it. We had a good laugh at that.

I can only assume that the first employee wasn't aware of this. Shouldn't this have been something brought up on the network news when the whole controversy came up?

Guess not.

Then I mentioned this weekend's Press dinner and how Bush had been roasted and her response was "oh, yeah, and the guy looked JUST like him."

Hmmm.

I don't watch network news. At all. I tell my friends that if they do, they're being fed a bunch of bullshit.

It's not so much in what they say (which is often bullshit in itself) but what they DON'T say.

The press deserved the slap AT LEAST as much as Bush. In fact, they deserve much more of the same. On a regular basis. Until they actually get it.

Yeah, Colbert was funny. But, even more importantly, he was on target.

Let's just say he's a little more accurate than the vice-president at hitting his intended target(s).

[hanginthere]

1. Question please

I must admit I'm a little more skeptical of Colbert's greatness than most here, but he certainly has the "bully pulpit" I hope he uses it bravely.

But here's my question...What's this about the Bush imposter? I saw part of the Colbert speech, and he was speaking to some one who looked like Bush. Was that really Bush? Where does the imposter I keep hearing about come into all this?

[Mythsaje]

3. Yeah, that was Bush...

The imposter apparently shared the stage with Bush before Colbert came on. They did their own little shtick.

I don't usually find Colbert that funny. The pretend neocon gag just doesn't work for me. In this circumstance, on the other hand, it most certainly did.

[hanginthere]

6. Thanks.

BTW, I have heard that Colbert is doing a OReilly imitation.
I've seen both, and it could be.

So I wonder, is the real Steve Colbert like the Steve Colbert on the show or not?

[Mythsaje]

10. I doubt it...

I've heard the whole thing compared to Caroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker... A liberal playing at being an extreme conservative as a form of mockery.

[xxqqqzme]

12. the 'real' Colbert is NOTHING

like the character he plays on his show...If you were fortunate, you saw the '60 Minutes' interview/profile piece they did on Colbert Sunday night. Colbert was brilliant in explainng the character and how it WAS just a character.

[Canadiana]

4. Yes there was that shtick

Where the imposter came on with Bush. They basically made fun of how fucking stupid bush is/sounds/looks. I am sure Georgie himself was not impressed with it...however his handlers thought it was a nice self-depricating humour that the press would love.

[zeemike]

2. But most of all he gave us hope

That one could speak truth to power and we could share that feeling of satisfaction vicariously.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Someone dared to defy the Mafia Don...

Perhaps he's just a thug and not the omnipotent tyrant after all...

[hiaasenrocks]

7. What was played at *'s inaugural?

I must have missed that and I would love to post it on another board!

Thanks for any info.

[Mythsaje]

9. A spanish version of the anthem, from what I understand...

I didn't see it myself, but I've heard from several sources that it was.

[upi402]

8. Colbert homered

yay!
:bounce:

[Avalux]

11. Colbert cracked the facade; spoke the unspeakable.

He has done what no one has done before him and now there's no turning back. His act will give others the courage to speak out, to not be afraid of the oh-so-powerful Bush White House Syndicate.

I can only hope that some of those 'journalists' sitting in the room will be inspired to step up and actually do their job. It may take awhile and it may only be a few, but I hope it happens. They have been given the opportunity - it's been handed to them on a a silver platter.

[Bake]

13. That's a little over the top, I think

"He has done what no one has done before him ..."

Really? Ever hear of Cindy Sheehan (just for starters)?

That's comparable to the DUer who said Colbert's routine ranked as one of the greatest American speeches ever.

Over. The. Top.

Colbert is FAR from the only person who has ever dared criticize B*sh to his face. Did you see the Coretta Scott King funeral?

A little perspective can come in handy sometimes.

Bake

[Avalux]

14. Of course you have a right to disagree.

But comparing Colbert to Sheehan is absurd - and yes, I did watch the the Coretta Scott King funeral and the zingers were nice, but still not the same thing.

Colbert had a captive audience and he proceeded to systematically trash Bush and the press corps without faltering or blinking an eye.

There's nothing wrong with my perspective and I will stick with my conclusion that Colbert's speech was groundbreaking.

[Bake]

15. How is that comparison absurd?

Sheehan criticizes Bush, on the national stage. Frequently. And gets media coverage for it. Colbert criticized Bush. On a national stage. The comparison is valid, and even if you contest that, it's FAR from "absurd."

The only difference is that Colbert was there to be funny. And in a way, he was.

Colbert is not the only person who has criticized the pResident. He may be one of few who has done it by invitation. (Although Imus did it to the Big Dog, as has been repeatedly mentioned here.)

Bake

[Avalux]

16. OK.

I can see you don't get where I'm coming from - I concede that your points are valid; but Colbert's 'act' was different. I guess we'll just have to see what happens next.

Peace.

[Bake]

17. Peace to you too. n/t

Nice to be able to disagree without either of us being disagreeable.

Bake