The genius of what Colbert did was the impotence of Bush's reaction. He's mad? Big Deal! We can speak openly in this country whether he likes it or not. There's not a damn thing he can do except be mad. Colbert grabbed him by the back of the head and rubbed his nose in the United States of America.

Any retaliation on the part of the Administration, the Republicans or conservative shills will just backfire. It would just put a brighter shine on Stephen Colbert's balls.

It seems like he's shitting in the nest before he leaves. He's probably very bitter.

I have kind of a sick feeling that Rep. Hoyer won't be the last. The image of Democrats flocking to the cable news shows to denounce Colbert's "disrespect" seems entirely realistic to me.

Which is why we will keep the status quo come November...and in 08.

Stephen Colbert certainly did cross the line...the very big line. There is now a moment in American history (modern history, anyway) that has become so revered that is is only mentioned in exhaulted term...whether you love George Bush or hate him. George Bush captured a moment that has stolen Dallas from JFK (even with Jackie's frantic dash across the trunk of the limo to grab back that piece of her husband). That moment was George Bush's (eventual) appearence at the wreckage of the World Trade Center with his bullhorn.

Saturday night Stephen Colbert in a casual, off the cuff way stole that moment back. He used that moment as one of the examples of Bush's cynical, calculated phoniness. And that, my friends, WAS crossing a very big line. No one has yet called Bush on that smarmy act publically yet.

The conservative shills, Republicans, media lapdogs and terrified Democrats can pile on Colbert all they want, but he crossed the line and there's no corssing back...and he crossed the line right in Bush's horrified face.

Stephen Colbert, Saturday night, became a hero to more people than these media and political insiders can ever guess.

I think what most of Colbert's critics are missing is thae fact that it wasn't a comedy routine as much as it was performance art. There were no big jokes for big laughs. The real humor was in what he was saying, to whom and where he was saying it. His audience was not the smug and self-important people in that room. He was using that crowd (from the President on down) as a prop. He was exposing and insulting them right to their faces for the amusement of that 68% who've had enough.

Of course the cable gas bags, media elites and politicians weren't amused. They were the punchline.

It was performance art. The President and the Washington media establishment in that room were all props in Colbert's act. It wouldn't have been funny if they DID laugh. The fact that Colbert was playing to an audience far from (and far different than) the august gathering in that room was the real genius of his performance.

Of course the President has heard all that before. I don't care about the bubble and the newspapers he doesn't read and scripted news conferences and the insulated public appearances. He's heard it. He just never had someone look him in the eye and say in front of his fawning sycophants for the entire nation to see.

...and THAT was pretty darn funny.

You confide your suspicions that your fiance is gay. I think right there is the time to call House of Brides and cancel the empire waisted bridesmaid dresses. I think deep down we all get ourselves involved in situations we understand no matter how much we turn our heads. Her suspicions should have guided her...and the friend should have bowed out of his best man duties at the very least. I think they all made their beds and are now sleeping uncomfortably in them.

As a side note to the usual homophobic bile that always seems to spill out into these discussions.

I've known my entire life that I was gay...from the time I was a very very small child who had no clue what sex even was. I was always attracted to men. If it would be possible to change and join the normal, happy sanctified hetersexual ranks I'd say stick it up your happy, normal sanctified ass. If had a wonderful, joyfull, enriched life filled with great people (both gay and straight) and great experiences. When the time come for me to gasp out my last breath I'll do so with a smile for the wonderful life I've had. I'd want it no other way.

Is he as offended by the filth and poison that has been belched by talk radio and conservatives for the past dozen years or so? Mr. Cohen, swallow it.

...unless Mary Cheney or her father, Dick, speaks it, I guess.

News flash to Mary Cheny: You're a professional lesbian. That's all you are. You've made a career out of it. You have, of your own free will, placed your sexuality in the public domain. You're no different than David Bowie (only not as pretty). If it offends you that someone mentions your famous sexual orientaion in the midst of an importnat discussion of relevant issues...well then, go fuck yourself.

As a self-respecting homosexual I wouldn't touch your book if I was wearing rubber gloves. I think ALL self-respecting gays should ignore it. Let's see how many of Dick's pals and all those good and virtuous right wing conservative Christians that are so supportive of Dick and his vantriloquist dummy flock to buy your book.

I just hope I live long enough to see Jesus actually show up for one of these games and throw out the first pitch, or sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch or get dumped over the head with a huge plastic gargage can filled with Gatorade after a big win.