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September 15, 2006
A 9/11 Speech to Echo Edward R. Murrow
A short but worthwhile nod, yet agian, to Keith Olbermann. Democrats love to complain as much as possible about this administration. And while Lord knows there's a lot to dislike and distrust, Democrats aren't the ones spreading the word. They aren't the ones pushing papers, magazines, websites and TV shows in front of the American public.
That's been the job of the American media. And while these same organizations and individuals had a field day with Bill Clinton and his "domestic affairs", they have continued to shirk it's duty in calling this President to task for over six years now.
But we are finally beginning to see, in the mainstream media, some brave journalists & commentators who are willing to put their jobs on the line to examine and discuss the lies, manipulations, misdirections and unmittigating gaul of this President and his administration. Leading the charge is Keith Olbermann and his bosses at MSNBC who bravely allow him to broadcast his cogent, articulate and harsh commentary on George Bush.
What follows is, for me, one of the most brave and daring pieces of television journalism I've ever seen in my lifetime and I hope you'll also celebrate the daring of this eight-minute clip. It's worth the watch:
That's been the job of the American media. And while these same organizations and individuals had a field day with Bill Clinton and his "domestic affairs", they have continued to shirk it's duty in calling this President to task for over six years now.
But we are finally beginning to see, in the mainstream media, some brave journalists & commentators who are willing to put their jobs on the line to examine and discuss the lies, manipulations, misdirections and unmittigating gaul of this President and his administration. Leading the charge is Keith Olbermann and his bosses at MSNBC who bravely allow him to broadcast his cogent, articulate and harsh commentary on George Bush.
What follows is, for me, one of the most brave and daring pieces of television journalism I've ever seen in my lifetime and I hope you'll also celebrate the daring of this eight-minute clip. It's worth the watch:
Bill Maher: Comedian and Political Activist
Mocking Bush is my patriotic duty
A comedian explains how cruel jokes about the president can stop terrorism
By Bill Maher
Sept. 8, 2006—(Salon) New rule: Bad presidents happen to good people.
Amid all the 9/11 anniversary talk about what will keep us safe, let me suggest that in a world turned hostile to America, the smartest message we can send to those beyond our shores is, "We're not with stupid." Therefore, I contend -- with all seriousness -- that ridiculing this president is now the most patriotic thing you can do. Let our allies and our enemies alike know that there's a whole swath of Americans desperate to distance themselves from Bush's foreign policies. And that's just Republicans running for reelection.
Now, of course, you're gonna say, "But Bill, ridiculing Bush is like shooting fish in a barrel," or, as Dick Cheney calls it, "hunting." Maybe, but right now it's important, because America is an easily misunderstood country these days -- a lot of the time it's hard to make out what we're saying over the bombs we're dropping.
Anyone who opposes the indefinite occupation of Iraq shouldn't be labeled an al-Qaida supporter. That's like saying that if I tell my exterminator that there are more efficient ways to rid the house of vermin than hitting them with a hammer, I'm "for the rats."
Questioning whether it still makes sense to keep troops under fire is supporting the troops. Asking for a plan supports the troops; asking when they'll be leaving supports the troops. Sitting around parsing the definition of "civil war" doesn't support the troops, it supports the president, and he's not a soldier, he just plays one on TV.
So yes, for the sake of homeland security, I ridicule the president -- but it gives me no pleasure to paint him as a dolt, a rube, a yokel on the world stage, a submental, three bricks shy of a load. Or, as Sean Hannity calls it, "Reaganesque."
No, it pains me to say these things, because I know deep down George Bush has something extra -- a chromosome. Cruel? Perhaps, but it may just have saved lives. By doing the extra chromosome joke, I sent a message to a young Muslim man somewhere in the world who's on a slow burn about this country, and perhaps got him to think, "Maybe the people of America aren't so bad. Maybe it's just the rodeo clown who leads them. Maybe the people 'get it.'" We do, Achmed, we do!
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."
So while honoring the anniversary of September 2001, we must also never forget September 2000. That's the month when Gov. George W. Bush said, "I know that human beings and fish can coexist peacefully." If you don't believe me, you can look it up on both internets. The world changed on 9/11. He didn't. That's why we owe it to ourselves, and our children, to never stop pointing out that George W. Bush is a gruesome boob.
-----------------------
also posted online here.
A comedian explains how cruel jokes about the president can stop terrorism
By Bill Maher
Sept. 8, 2006—(Salon) New rule: Bad presidents happen to good people.
Amid all the 9/11 anniversary talk about what will keep us safe, let me suggest that in a world turned hostile to America, the smartest message we can send to those beyond our shores is, "We're not with stupid." Therefore, I contend -- with all seriousness -- that ridiculing this president is now the most patriotic thing you can do. Let our allies and our enemies alike know that there's a whole swath of Americans desperate to distance themselves from Bush's foreign policies. And that's just Republicans running for reelection.
Now, of course, you're gonna say, "But Bill, ridiculing Bush is like shooting fish in a barrel," or, as Dick Cheney calls it, "hunting." Maybe, but right now it's important, because America is an easily misunderstood country these days -- a lot of the time it's hard to make out what we're saying over the bombs we're dropping.
Anyone who opposes the indefinite occupation of Iraq shouldn't be labeled an al-Qaida supporter. That's like saying that if I tell my exterminator that there are more efficient ways to rid the house of vermin than hitting them with a hammer, I'm "for the rats."
Questioning whether it still makes sense to keep troops under fire is supporting the troops. Asking for a plan supports the troops; asking when they'll be leaving supports the troops. Sitting around parsing the definition of "civil war" doesn't support the troops, it supports the president, and he's not a soldier, he just plays one on TV.
So yes, for the sake of homeland security, I ridicule the president -- but it gives me no pleasure to paint him as a dolt, a rube, a yokel on the world stage, a submental, three bricks shy of a load. Or, as Sean Hannity calls it, "Reaganesque."
No, it pains me to say these things, because I know deep down George Bush has something extra -- a chromosome. Cruel? Perhaps, but it may just have saved lives. By doing the extra chromosome joke, I sent a message to a young Muslim man somewhere in the world who's on a slow burn about this country, and perhaps got him to think, "Maybe the people of America aren't so bad. Maybe it's just the rodeo clown who leads them. Maybe the people 'get it.'" We do, Achmed, we do!
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."
So while honoring the anniversary of September 2001, we must also never forget September 2000. That's the month when Gov. George W. Bush said, "I know that human beings and fish can coexist peacefully." If you don't believe me, you can look it up on both internets. The world changed on 9/11. He didn't. That's why we owe it to ourselves, and our children, to never stop pointing out that George W. Bush is a gruesome boob.
-----------------------
also posted online here.
September 01, 2006
Support for a Conservative?!?
As many of you know, I define myself as a progressive. That means that I like to support causes that, literally, help the progress and evolution of the political landscape of our nation. Most of the time (but not always), these causes and positions are liberal.
As many of you also know who read this blog and post comments, I have a passionate cousin who is a lawyer, a respected constitutional authority and a vocal conservative.
It's not my fault: blame his dad.
While we frequently disagree on politics, I'm proud of my cousin David's achievements: he is articulate, intelligent, funny and starting to appear more frequently on the Fox News Channel. He appeared on the "O'Reilly Factor" yesterday to defend the first amendment rights of a Palestinian man who wore a t-shirt reading "We will not be silenced" onto a plane two days after the London bombing plot was exposed.
Personally, it's refreshing to hear a conservative talk so eloquently in defense of our right to free speech. Especially at a time when the Bush administration ejects teachers from Bush political rallies for wearing, you guessed it: t-shirts.
And, for those of you reading this on Friday night, September 1st, my cousin David will be on "The O'Reilly Factor" yet again, 11pm EST/8pm PST. Tune in and see him for yourself.
David, I'm proud of you. And if you happen to be on the air with Mr. O'Reilly himself, please, PLEASE: ask him why he stated that if a woman is drunk and wearing clothes that reveal her midriff that she's at fault for her own rape and murder.
I'd looooooooooooooove to know how a conservative comes to that point of view.
As many of you also know who read this blog and post comments, I have a passionate cousin who is a lawyer, a respected constitutional authority and a vocal conservative.
It's not my fault: blame his dad.
While we frequently disagree on politics, I'm proud of my cousin David's achievements: he is articulate, intelligent, funny and starting to appear more frequently on the Fox News Channel. He appeared on the "O'Reilly Factor" yesterday to defend the first amendment rights of a Palestinian man who wore a t-shirt reading "We will not be silenced" onto a plane two days after the London bombing plot was exposed.
Personally, it's refreshing to hear a conservative talk so eloquently in defense of our right to free speech. Especially at a time when the Bush administration ejects teachers from Bush political rallies for wearing, you guessed it: t-shirts.
And, for those of you reading this on Friday night, September 1st, my cousin David will be on "The O'Reilly Factor" yet again, 11pm EST/8pm PST. Tune in and see him for yourself.
David, I'm proud of you. And if you happen to be on the air with Mr. O'Reilly himself, please, PLEASE: ask him why he stated that if a woman is drunk and wearing clothes that reveal her midriff that she's at fault for her own rape and murder.
I'd looooooooooooooove to know how a conservative comes to that point of view.
