Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
Thursday, February 03, 2011
The Daily Show humorously tackles the sensitive topic of redefining rape in Congress.
Palin has become our safety valve – an entertainer and bauble to enjoy for a few more months. She is the bridge that will take us from the turbulent present into the pomposity of next year’s primaries. But she’s not likely to last. Republicans want to defeat President Obama too much to nominate someone with unelectably bad poll numbers. Just 19 percent of Americans have a favorable impression of her, while 57 percent do not, a recent CBS/New York Times poll found. An ABC news poll, among others, indicates 67 percent of the American people don’t think Palin is qualified to be president. With those numbers, she’s no threat to anyone.
I know that Jon Stewart is very popular, well-deservedly so, for his ability to point out the absurdity in today's politics.
But I wonder...if by conditioning his audience to laugh at the downright travesty of absurd politicians...if he isn't also conditioning them not to be ANGRY instead. I don't think he intentionally means to do this, but how long can we keep laughing about the fact that so many of our MAINSTREAM politicians and their politics are psychopaths???
This is clearly no longer a laughing matter. These have wreaked terrible damage on our country. And they're only just getting started.
At least they have given up trying to redefine it (for now!) http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/02/protecting-the-palin-brand-sarah-and-bristol-go-for-trademark-s/
As if having Christie has our NJ govenor wasn't embarssing enough - it was a congressman from NJ that proposed this horrific redefining bill in the first place.
We can't take our eye off this one - the Repubs will try to sneak it in some where - some how - they truly want women treated like chattel.
To 8:32. The most effective means to stop idiocy in congress is Jon Stewart. I believe he is responsible for getting the health coverage passed for the 911 workers. If not Jon Stewart, who the hell will get the issue exposed. It isn't like the MSM is handling this travesty.
I think Jon Stewart has more power than you think he does.
8:32 The Daily Show isn't making fun of rape; they are roasting the boys in Congress who chose to put this bullshit forward. In order to point out their lunacy, he uses comedy very effectively.
The fact they would even try to pass such legislation really makes you wonder what kind of unholy discoveries they've made about their arch supporters.
I can just picture the GOP holding focus groups with angry old white men and learning, a-ha! If we downplay rape, we'll really get the old geezer vote!
I'm anon 8:32, and I wasn't inferring that Jon Stewart was making fun of rape. I clearly see he's making fun of Republicans for redefining rape.
My point is that what these psychopaths are doing to our country isn't funny. It's tragic and scary.
And yeah, you're right, as a comedian he's exposing this more than our pathetic media. That too is tragic and scary. I just hope that in addition to laughing at the Republicans, enough people are getting downright pissed off at them, too.
While Republicans are trying their damndest to redefine rape, I'd like to share a personal experience.
Back in 1986, I lost my virginity when I was 16 to my best friend's boyfriend. He was giving me a ride home after a wild teen party complete with alcohol, and yes, I was extremely intoxicated. To make a long story short, we ended up making out. That was consensual. Then he wanted to go farther. I told him no many times, but he forced himself on me instead. Afterward, he told me to keep this between us. I was riddled with guilt. I blamed myself. I even told my friend because I couldn't go on pretending to be such a loyal friend. She never forgave me, even though she eventually made up with Scott.
The reason why I am sharing this very personal story is because it took me about 10 years until I finally realized that what had happened to me in high school was rape. I was drunk. I said no. No means no. Period. (And when alcohol is involved, yes can actually also mean no.)
I hope any of you with teens educate them, not just about sex and being safe, but also about what constitutes consensual sex and what does not. It's a topic that I wish now I had been more knowledgable about back then.
I watched this last night and to be honest, although I know that on one level it was funny, I was unable to laugh due to the subject matter and the importance of what these sick bastards are trying to do.
The federal government paid for 191 abortions due to rape or incest and this is their big concern? Is this going to pay down the deficit? Will it create jobs? Of course not! But, of course, that's not their true agenda.
I will never understand how some of these people can sleep at night or look at themselves in the mirror. It's sickening.
@8:32 Humor can be a powerful weapon when sometimes there is no other weapon. Stewart's imitations of Glenn Beck show every thing that is wrong about that hyperbolic attention getting personality. Beck is a champion fear monger, and to call him that is simply a statement of fact. Stewart's impersonations said much much more.
Sometimes the skits on Saturday Night Live can exaggerate their political subject and show their true colors as no other media can do. The best example was Tina Fey, dressed and made up to look like Sarah Palin answering Katie Couric (Amy Poehler)'s questions. Tina answered, using Sarah Palin's exact answer, word for disconnected word. It made Sarah look more foolish than any political analyst could ever do.
Jon Stewart calls out hypocrisy and stupidity in politics and the popular world. There are few comedians and commentators who are brave enough to do the same thing.
OT, but you will love this video of this young man defending his gay parents to Iowa Legislature. Powerful stuff! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q&feature=player_embedded
I saw this last night and was thrilled that Stewart tackled this subject. It was brilliant satire and showed the cruel inhumanity of the 'no federal money for abortion' crowd! It was not intended as a 'funny, Ha, Ha' comedy routine.
Stewart's reaction set the tone of shock and incredulity I believe the bit intended. Personally, it motivated me to fight the legislation with everything I've got.
Jon Stewart helped save my sanity during the Bush/Cheney years. There were a LOT of grim events during that time, and I groaned in despair and shame as we went to war, knowing that many innocents would be caught in the cross-fire.
Rape is hardly a light-hearted topic, but I trust Stewart to call attention to these bastards with a light touch.
My heart goes out to you, Anon10:06am. My sister was being romanced by a new beau, when her rape occurred. It was all flowers, sweet talk and kisses, and then one night he decided full payment was due. My sister told him, "No, this is going too fast."
Shortly afterward she broke up with him. She told me that she did not feel she could "trust" him. Five years later she admitted to herself and me that she had been raped that evening.
She never thought of going to the police and "causing trouble". Today I have little doubt this dirtbag has a long history of charm/abuse towards young women.
It's me, anon 8:32 again...wanted to respond to someone's statement "Humor can be a powerful weapon when sometimes there is no other weapon."
I agree with that. I will never forget Stephen Colbert's brutal take down of George Bush, right in his face, under the guise of comedy (White House press club roast).
And I remember all the MSM clutching their pearls in horror when he did it, the cowards.
I'm just saying that never forget these people are psychotics with serious ill will against a good portion of this country. Laugh at them? Sure. But we need to take the threat that they pose dead serious.
Anon @ 8:32, you don't get the value of satire do you? Not in the Rush Limbaugh way when he uttered Retard and variations of in the aftermath of Sarah Palin's faux outrage against Rahm Emannuel's use of it also too.
When you have the talent and ability to point out the audacity of faulty fiscal and moral legislation as applied in this case - you put a shot across the bow of a movement and gain an ability to raise enough awareness to stop it.
And it worked didn't it? The GOP didn't get to redefine Rape.
I am sorry for your violation. I'm sorry you were forced to blame yourself for so many years.
I guess it depends on what kind of victim you could have been, for example, making lemonaid out of lemons as Angle suggests it, you could have delighted in getting pregnant and carrying the child to term to give it up or raise it yourself.
The fundamental freedoms Sarah Palin and her hypocritical supporters crow so much about need never apply to a female, because they don't want us to have control of our very own bodies.
I may not chose for me or my daughter to have an abortion, if I do, it is our business and no one else's. But to take the decision out of your hands for my sensibilities sake is disgusting and truly Anti-American.
I saw a cartoon once when I was a pre-teen, it showed a woman standing on the palm of a big hand, which represented Government. In each box she was stating her rights as an American woman and each time she asserted herself, the palm started to close. That was a powerful statement to me, even before I hit puberty.
My right to regulate my menstrual cycle and Family Planning is first and foremost my definition of freedom.
O/T but not really.
ReplyDeleteOur misplaced obsession with Sarah Palin
Palin has become our safety valve – an entertainer and bauble to enjoy for a few more months. She is the bridge that will take us from the turbulent present into the pomposity of next year’s primaries. But she’s not likely to last. Republicans want to defeat President Obama too much to nominate someone with unelectably bad poll numbers. Just 19 percent of Americans have a favorable impression of her, while 57 percent do not, a recent CBS/New York Times poll found. An ABC news poll, among others, indicates 67 percent of the American people don’t think Palin is qualified to be president. With those numbers, she’s no threat to anyone.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Walter-Rodgers/2011/0203/Our-misplaced-obsession-with-Sarah-Palin
I know that Jon Stewart is very popular, well-deservedly so, for his ability to point out the absurdity in today's politics.
ReplyDeleteBut I wonder...if by conditioning his audience to laugh at the downright travesty of absurd politicians...if he isn't also conditioning them not to be ANGRY instead. I don't think he intentionally means to do this, but how long can we keep laughing about the fact that so many of our MAINSTREAM politicians and their politics are psychopaths???
This is clearly no longer a laughing matter. These have wreaked terrible damage on our country. And they're only just getting started.
House Republicans Back Off 'Forcible Rape' Language In Controversial Bill
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/republicans-forcible-rape-abortion-bill_n_818014.html
At least they have given up trying to redefine it (for now!)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/02/protecting-the-palin-brand-sarah-and-bristol-go-for-trademark-s/
As if having Christie has our NJ govenor wasn't embarssing enough - it was a congressman from NJ that proposed this horrific redefining bill in the first place.
We can't take our eye off this one - the Repubs will try to sneak it in some where - some how - they truly want women treated like chattel.
To 8:32. The most effective means to stop idiocy in congress is Jon Stewart. I believe he is responsible for getting the health coverage passed for the 911 workers. If not Jon Stewart, who the hell will get the issue exposed. It isn't like the MSM is handling this travesty.
ReplyDeleteI think Jon Stewart has more power than you think he does.
8:32 The Daily Show isn't making fun of rape; they are roasting the boys in Congress who chose to put this bullshit forward. In order to point out their lunacy, he uses comedy very effectively.
ReplyDeleteThe fact they would even try to pass such legislation really makes you wonder what kind of unholy discoveries they've made about their arch supporters.
ReplyDeleteI can just picture the GOP holding focus groups with angry old white men and learning, a-ha! If we downplay rape, we'll really get the old geezer vote!
--shudders--
http://alaskawtf.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bristol-palin.jpg
ReplyDeleteI'm anon 8:32, and I wasn't inferring that Jon Stewart was making fun of rape. I clearly see he's making fun of Republicans for redefining rape.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that what these psychopaths are doing to our country isn't funny. It's tragic and scary.
And yeah, you're right, as a comedian he's exposing this more than our pathetic media. That too is tragic and scary. I just hope that in addition to laughing at the Republicans, enough people are getting downright pissed off at them, too.
While Republicans are trying their damndest to redefine rape, I'd like to share a personal experience.
ReplyDeleteBack in 1986, I lost my virginity when I was 16 to my best friend's boyfriend. He was giving me a ride home after a wild teen party complete with alcohol, and yes, I was extremely intoxicated. To make a long story short, we ended up making out. That was consensual. Then he wanted to go farther. I told him no many times, but he forced himself on me instead. Afterward, he told me to keep this between us. I was riddled with guilt. I blamed myself. I even told my friend because I couldn't go on pretending to be such a loyal friend. She never forgave me, even though she eventually made up with Scott.
The reason why I am sharing this very personal story is because it took me about 10 years until I finally realized that what had happened to me in high school was rape. I was drunk. I said no. No means no. Period. (And when alcohol is involved, yes can actually also mean no.)
I hope any of you with teens educate them, not just about sex and being safe, but also about what constitutes consensual sex and what does not. It's a topic that I wish now I had been more knowledgable about back then.
To Gryphen: I'm a huge fan of your blog and you.
Points for addressing a really tough topic for comedy however he only showed that there really is nothing funny about rape.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 8:32. This, to me, is not a laughing matter. Never was, never will be! AURGH.
ReplyDeleteI watched this last night and to be honest, although I know that on one level it was funny, I was unable to laugh due to the subject matter and the importance of what these sick bastards are trying to do.
ReplyDeleteThe federal government paid for 191 abortions due to rape or incest and this is their big concern? Is this going to pay down the deficit? Will it create jobs? Of course not! But, of course, that's not their true agenda.
I will never understand how some of these people can sleep at night or look at themselves in the mirror. It's sickening.
@8:32 Humor can be a powerful weapon when sometimes there is no other weapon. Stewart's imitations of Glenn Beck show every thing that is wrong about that hyperbolic attention getting personality. Beck is a champion fear monger, and to call him that is simply a statement of fact. Stewart's impersonations said much much more.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the skits on Saturday Night Live can exaggerate their political subject and show their true colors as no other media can do. The best example was Tina Fey, dressed and made up to look like Sarah Palin answering Katie Couric (Amy Poehler)'s questions. Tina answered, using Sarah Palin's exact answer, word for disconnected word. It made Sarah look more foolish than any political analyst could ever do.
Jon Stewart calls out hypocrisy and stupidity in politics and the popular world. There are few comedians and commentators who are brave enough to do the same thing.
OT, but you will love this video of this young man defending his gay parents to Iowa Legislature. Powerful stuff!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q&feature=player_embedded
I saw this last night and was thrilled that Stewart tackled this subject. It was brilliant satire and showed the cruel inhumanity of the 'no federal money for abortion' crowd! It was not intended as a 'funny, Ha, Ha' comedy routine.
ReplyDeleteStewart's reaction set the tone of shock and incredulity I believe the bit intended. Personally, it motivated me to fight the legislation with everything I've got.
Jon Stewart helped save my sanity during the Bush/Cheney years. There were a LOT of grim events during that time, and I groaned in despair and shame as we went to war, knowing that many innocents would be caught in the cross-fire.
ReplyDeleteRape is hardly a light-hearted topic, but I trust Stewart to call attention to these bastards with a light touch.
My heart goes out to you, Anon10:06am. My sister was being romanced by a new beau, when her rape occurred. It was all flowers, sweet talk and kisses, and then one night he decided full payment was due. My sister told him, "No, this is going too fast."
Shortly afterward she broke up with him. She told me that she did not feel she could "trust" him. Five years later she admitted to herself and me that she had been raped that evening.
She never thought of going to the police and "causing trouble". Today I have little doubt this dirtbag has a long history of charm/abuse towards young women.
It's me, anon 8:32 again...wanted to respond to someone's statement "Humor can be a powerful weapon when sometimes there is no other weapon."
ReplyDeleteI agree with that. I will never forget Stephen Colbert's brutal take down of George Bush, right in his face, under the guise of comedy (White House press club roast).
And I remember all the MSM clutching their pearls in horror when he did it, the cowards.
I'm just saying that never forget these people are psychotics with serious ill will against a good portion of this country. Laugh at them? Sure. But we need to take the threat that they pose dead serious.
One hundred and ninety one abortion services provided in 2006 for victims of 'rape rape.'
ReplyDeleteNo wonder these sanctimonious Pro-Life pro-death penalty, war and hate mongers can't sleep at night.
Anon @ 8:32, you don't get the value of satire do you? Not in the Rush Limbaugh way when he uttered Retard and variations of in the aftermath of Sarah Palin's faux outrage against Rahm Emannuel's use of it also too.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have the talent and ability to point out the audacity of faulty fiscal and moral legislation as applied in this case - you put a shot across the bow of a movement and gain an ability to raise enough awareness to stop it.
And it worked didn't it? The GOP didn't get to redefine Rape.
Anon rape victim @ 10:32
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your violation. I'm sorry you were forced to blame yourself for so many years.
I guess it depends on what kind of victim you could have been, for example, making lemonaid out of lemons as Angle suggests it, you could have delighted in getting pregnant and carrying the child to term to give it up or raise it yourself.
The fundamental freedoms Sarah Palin and her hypocritical supporters crow so much about need never apply to a female, because they don't want us to have control of our very own bodies.
I may not chose for me or my daughter to have an abortion, if I do, it is our business and no one else's. But to take the decision out of your hands for my sensibilities sake is disgusting and truly Anti-American.
I saw a cartoon once when I was a pre-teen, it showed a woman standing on the palm of a big hand, which represented Government. In each box she was stating her rights as an American woman and each time she asserted herself, the palm started to close. That was a powerful statement to me, even before I hit puberty.
My right to regulate my menstrual cycle and Family Planning is first and foremost my definition of freedom.