No wonder Laura Bush wouldn't shake Colbert's hand. When you marry a guy who, in wartime, ducked out of the National Guard a little early, you know what you're getting. A lifetime of false patriotism and bluster.

When that same guy gerry-rigs facts to make a pre-emptive strike against a toothless tiger, it's hard to face facts, as Colbert forced that audience to do. So I understand why she found it essential to avoid contact with Colbert. An entire life built on flimsy boasts (supported by phenomenal photo ops) would be swept away if she examined the truth.

It was painful to watch Colbert - but only because he pulled away the shimmering veils of self-promotion and deception away from the rusted out political machinery used to run our country. We have been lied to by our leaders and we have a national press corps that has lapped it up without question. It's about time they were all called on it.

Way to go Colbert. He's not just talking about having major cajones. He's got 'em.

For tonight. My illustrious Governor, Mike Huckabee, will be on The Report. I hope beyond all hope that he asks the former Baptist minister why he took a local news organization (The Arkansas Times) off the email list for any press releases or other news. His press office claims it's because "they're 'only' a 'journal of politics and culture'". Now admittedly, they are a spot of blue in an otherwise red state, but they do give him credit when he does things right. He is widely known (here anyway) for his pettiness and this is just another facet of it.

The irony is just delicious...Reverend Gov doesn't want to send press releases to an org he doesn't consider to be a "real news" entity, but he's happy to go on a news satire show. I so hope that Colbert found out about that and skewers him.

There once was a man named Colbert,

Who had a particular flair;

With a zeal that's demonic,

He was extremely ironic,

His greatest fear that of a bear.

Now Stephen, he got his own show,

In the role of a corporate ho';

He told us the truth,

Like a Fox News sleuth,

But the secret is we're in the know.

He started to get pretty famous,

As a lovably loudmouthed ignoramous;

So the unloved White House flaks,

Asked him down for some yaks,

But instead he issued a writ of mandamus.

He ordered the press and the President,

To actually fulfill their assignment;

He lampooned their incestuous romp,

And pierced through the glitz and the pomp,

Offending their self-righteous refinement.

But the hoi polloi were watching that day,

And they finally got their own way -

They laughed and they squeeked and they giggled,

While the press and pols squirmed, writhed and wriggled,

For Colbert had left all of them spay.

May 02, 2006

Apparently loads of Americans lack a sense of humor. Stephen Colbert's presentation at the April 29th White House Correspondents dinner was met with as much dismay as laughter. President Bush was shocked and Laura Bush was said to be "miffed," "disoriented," and "distressed." As explained in Editor and Publisher, the press, targeted as much as the administration, shifted in their seats only enough to remove their hands from under their legs.

Have any of the parties offended by Stephen Colbert's presentation at the Washington Correspondents dinner looked up the word, satire?

Using wit and irony to jab those in power is an ancient tradition, not a political bias. It wasn't only fictional Lear who trusted his jester to carry the truth, many cultures prized the court clown. That the Bush administration, its supporters and the press have no tolerance for humor is a reflection of their response to criticism.

The media, the press, those who claim the right to do what Colbert did, must realize that by disuse and abuse of their powerful positions, they have inadvertently opened the door and allowed sharp, fresh air into their closed rooms. One cannot clamor for freedom, cannot toss freedom around as a talking point without allowing people the liberty to talk.

The phrase, "speaking truth to power," was coined by the American Friends, Quakers, in response to the political assumption that military force can bring about peace. Colbert brought truth wrapped in truthiness. I suspect those who did not laugh have mistaken the wrapping for the gift.

Surely the event organizers hired Mr. Colbert precisely because of his satirical work. They are to be admired for inviting the Fool to Court.

Elisabeth Bumiller is writing a biography about Condi Rice - an obvious conflict of interest. How can she possibly report on the very people she needs to please so she can have access to them for her book - it completely compromises any shred of journalistic integrity this fawning bush cheerleader may still have. The NY Times should remove her from her white house beat immediately.

I have always loved satire. Fell in love with it in junior high school and have craved it ever since. Colbert is now my new favorite. I also agree with all the posts that mention the absence of the traditional medias lack of response. Thanks Salon.

>>They didn't laugh because he wasn't funny>>

That's not true; I SAW people laughing. It wasn't the Bushes, but there were plenty of people in the audience laughing. I saw it and anyone can see it and hear it on the videotape. A LOT of people thought it was funny. The bushes weren't laughing and the press didn't write about it the next day, but watching the videotape gives proof positive that plenty of people in the audience thought it was funny.

I have seen several postings here suggesting Stephen Colbert wasn't funny. I understand their points of view. I used to not watch the Colbert Report because I thought it was actually so close to the BIll o'Reilly right that the people who should have gotten it and should have felt uncomfortable in the ironic haze, wouldn't get it, and would think Colbert was supporting their idiocy. It was hard for me to watch worrying that it wasn't hitting its mark.

But it DID hit its mark---it's just that the only people who realized that were watching on TV. I was watched it first in real time, and then later, having TiVO'd it, and I felt the squirmy discomfort that people have been commenting on. But I started to think, "His material is GREAT and he delivered it spot-on, never once breaking character." If they had shown it without panning to the audience, the television audience would have loved it, and would have thought it brilliant!

The problem was that Washington Press Corps audience. The problem was not that they felt uncomfortable witnessing the delivery of these jokes to the Bushes on a platter---they weren't feeling sorry for the Bushes. Dubya and Laura are, after all the bully rich kids in the class.

The problem was that none of the smart-ass kids were in the audience! That audience was filled with the brown nose kiss-ups we all remember being appointed to lame hall monitor positions in grade school. Those people were embarrassed, not for the Bushes, but for themselves. If that audience had had even a small number of sympathetic ears, a few Jeff Spicolis providing the deserved belly-laughs, and the necessary feeling of defiance and rebellion against the status quo, the event would have taken on the boisterous atmosphere of a really great comedy club. Those idiots didn't even snicker---they just looked as though they were after all, part of the elite, and above it all. They aligned themselves with authority and in doing so, betrayed the brave individualist. It was the audience that ultimately weighed down Colbert's performance, as if he was delivering his material at a funeral.

Colbert WAS funny. The discomfort arose from brown nose idiots who didn't let it seem that way.

Next year, they need to include some bloggers in the audience. I suspect Colbert would get a waaaaay difference reception.