I wonder who was responsible for booking Colbert for the occasion. What were they thinking???!!! I didn't think Colbert was funny, because the subject matter was just too grave. But jeez, the balls on that guy! He looked Bush right in the face and said those things to him. That is something Bush has probably NEVER experienced. The petulant little shrub was pissed (now that was funny)!!

is that supreme act of patriotism available for download anywhere?

not as good as seeing Bush getting the full force of law, as in a war crimes tribunal, but a fine appetizer to that main course...

After Steve Colbert's astoundingly courageous performance in front of Bush and Cronies, I say we take back the Congressional Medal of Freedom from George Tenet (like he deserved it in the first place!) and award it to Mr. Colbert.

But what is truly chilling about this video is the fact that no one laughed. No one laughed out of fear of being punished by this "Bully" administration and with good reason. Craven craven vile mean-spirited and worse, stupid and arrogant cabal. Where IS the outrage?

A REAL PATRIOT IN THE FOREFRONT - JEFFERSON WOULD BE PROUD!!

Here are two men out of 280 million Americans who tell the truth, speak clearly and knowledgeably, and appreciate the issues of the day (and the century). What are we waiting for? Draft them!

Its nice to hear the truth, for a change.

Dear Salon,

Thank you so much for posting the entire video of Colbert's address. That was the most courageous and clever display to political and media power I've ever seen. It bolsters my hope that the light of truth is burning through all of the lies, deceit, and corruption in our political "leadership". I'm going to forward this to everyone I know!

In gratitude,

Jeremy Meyer

as a great fan of Steven Colbert, I sadly have to admit that he just wasn't funny. Worse than that, he was boring. Could that be the reason the mainstream media ignored him? He seemed nervous and unprepared, showed an uncharacteristic lack of timing, and sounded like he was angry.

Thank god.

Good? Bad? Either way, it's not worth all the fuss. Other things in the world are far more important. It just seems a bit unbelievable - especially because of the profusion of - No Name Given entries - that this many people would suddenly claim the guy's a herculean figure. He ain't. But he sure has an effective PR machine.

No wonder the press are lambasting Stephen Colbert's brilliant, scathing, and heroic speech. The truth hurts. Duh.

No one escaped Colbert's arrows. The man has a lot of hutzpah to lash his tongue out at the highest-ranking goverment officials present at this dinner. And he was right on - no holds barred. Funny and insightful, even some of the Republican targets were smiling.

Took no prisoners. Gave everybody hell. Said what people were scared to say. Ripped the WH press corp because they never ask the important questions ever since Helen was put in the back row.

I am absolutely fed up with corruption, lies, and incompetence. Colbert gives a few seconds of hope.

The years of the Bush administration have been some of the most depressing in my life.

How many times do you have to tell people there were no WMDs, no purchase of nuclear fuel from Africa, no link to Osama, and Rumsfeld saying, "Let's do Iraq," BEFORE 9/11. Why didn't we leave when there was no WMD? How many Iraqis have died since the invasion vs. if we never invaded over the same time period?

All this followed by Abu Graib, prisons in eastern Europe, Guantanamo abuses.

What does it take to arouse people? Maybe the theft of their votes in the next election by those damn electronic voting machines.

Watching the second half, where W and Laura were leaving, I played it in slow motion/stop action. Did anyone notice that W pushed Mr. Colbert away from Laura? I also watched a few other segments in slow motion/stop action. There was a decided look of nastiness on W's face as Mr. Colbert was leaving the podium, and the look on Laura's face as he was coming towards her was a classic. They definitely didn't like their actions and words thrust into their faces. You have to admire a man like Mr. Colbert for standing up and telling it like it is. I just hope it doesn't blow up in his face. Thank you Mr. Colbert.

What more need I say?

Watching Steven Colbert execute the Bush Administration in one beautifully sweeping stroke was like watching an expert craftsman summon his skill and talent to the task of bringing into creation what he is divinly meant to bear.

Steven Colbert is, as of this video, the great satirist of our time, if not the only individual brave and clear sighted enough to be called a satirist in these times.

Only those who recognize the true value of Colbert's bravery will rise above the sea of spineless mediocrity that currently floods America's press, academia, politics and businesses. What seems a a safe harbor is in fact an abyssmal bermuda triangle, where many dissapear without a trace, never having the bravery to write something or say something of value.

The other attendees of the White House Correspondent's Association dinner were as children watching in awe and insolent fear as the Colbert tore down the boundaries of their world, introducing new territory, new responsibility, new possibilities, all while tearing Bush a new one.

While awakening American Journalism to its Truman Show existance is quite important, Colbert's pivitol achievement is his establishing himself as an inspiration to those who, approaching the shores of the previously mentioned sea, have not stepped into its murky waters but remain on the threshold, wary of the dark mist hovering over that harbor.

Bush should be thankful for this moment with Steven, thankful that some has the balls to flash a clear mirror to his face, for it is about time that the President evalute himself as a human and decide if he has done what he wishes to do while on this earth. It is clear that Steven Colbert has done so.

Thank you Steven Colbert.

I can't wait to see what you do next.

Sincerely,

Kaitlin McSweeney, recently inspired.