The line that kept getting tossed around the media and news I watched and read was that "Colbert was making a mockery of the procedings." What none of them seemed to indicate was that it was his intention to do so, as well as the intention of those who invited him. The hearings are a big joke, just as most of the government is a big joke. Political sairists telling truth to power is a longstanding tradition in America, dating back to the days leading up to the Revolutionary War.
I'd have to check to be certain, but in my lifetime, I don't recall anything positive ever emanating from a House or Senate chamber. That is not to say it has never happened, but I can't think of an instance in the last 20 years (when I sort of paid attention to world and national events). And the more I think about it, the more I become convinced that C-Span needs to pull their cameras out of there, which saddens me because I often enjoy the coverage they provide. But the grandstanding and directed rhetoric that accompanies live camera coverage does not seem conducive to actual free debate amongst elected officials. What Colbert did was raise awareness of how egregiously nonsensical the arguments had become on both sides of the aisle. He also drew attention to the tedium of the process that many who do not watch C-Span are unaware of. And he did it all through intelligent humor. That is how I want my opposition voiced. -- Kevin M. (RPCV) -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
