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Stephen Colbert roasts Bush... classic.

#42
Bass Boy said:
In some countries the leaders have their hands cut off for stealing from their people and their tongues cut out for lying to them. Here in North America we sit there and take it. Doesn't make me proud...

No flames please :) not trying to start a political war!
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So then what's your point? Are you saying you'd like the right to cut off the hands and tongues of your leaders in Canada, because you yourself "sit there and take it" by not excercising your right to vote or something? Kind of a confusing statement.

Not flaming. Just hoping you'll clarify your position and offer your remedies.

Matt
 
#45
Marcus Alan said:
***?
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Sorry, but I just don't think that roasting a US President at an event to which one was invited simply to do that very thing is classifiable as something "brave." It's not like Colbert was in any danger of being beaten, jailed, or executed for being snarky. The worst thing that was going to happen to him is that he wouldn't be invited back. Big deal. :hmm:

Had a comedian roasted a totalitatrian leader like Castro or Kim Jong-Il to his face in a public forum, that might be considered to be a brave act (or incredibly dumb, depending on one's point of view) since the probability of that person ever seeing the light of day again would undoubtedly be pretty low.
 
#46
Atoz said:
Sorry, but I just don't think that roasting a US President at an event to which one was invited simply to do that very thing is classifiable as something "brave." It's not like Colbert was in any danger of being beaten, jailed, or executed for being snarky. The worst thing that was going to happen to him is that he wouldn't be invited back. Big deal. :hmm:

Had a comedian roasted a totalitatrian leader like Castro or Kim Jong-Il to his face in a public forum, that might be considered to be a brave act (or incredibly dumb, depending on one's point of view) since the probability of that person ever seeing the light of day again would undoubtedly be pretty low.
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Speak for yourself man. I have to admit I'd be a bit shaky if I had to deliver that speech 5 feet away from Bush.
 
#47
Atoz said:
Sorry, but I just don't think that roasting a US President at an event to which one was invited simply to do that very thing is classifiable as something "brave." It's not like Colbert was in any danger of being beaten, jailed, or executed for being snarky. The worst thing that was going to happen to him is that he wouldn't be invited back. Big deal. :hmm:

Had a comedian roasted a totalitatrian leader like Castro or Kim Jong-Il to his face in a public forum, that might be considered to be a brave act (or incredibly dumb, depending on one's point of view) since the probability of that person ever seeing the light of day again would undoubtedly be pretty low.
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Would you bag on your boss in front of countless people while he was sitting right next to you?
 
#48
Marcus Alan said:
Would you bag on your boss in front of countless people while he was sitting right next to you?
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GWB isn't Colbert's boss, but I know what you're trying to say. As far as bagging on my own boss: If there were no consequences to be suffered, I really hated the guy, and I wanted to embarrass him - sure... why not? Wouldn't anyone?

Hey, wait - I work for the Federal Gov't, so I guess Bush IS my boss. Heh. ;)
 
#50
stringbass69 said:
If the entire event was staged as a "roast," as this supposedly was, then you'd be obligated to.

Matt
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Obviously, but that does not mean you should be free from the intimidation of the President of the United States ^_^;

Atoz said:
GWB isn't Colbert's boss, but I know what you're trying to say. As far as bagging on my own boss: If there were no consequences to be suffered, I really hated the guy, and I wanted to embarrass him - sure... why not? Wouldn't anyone?

Hey, wait - I work for the Federal Gov't, so I guess Bush IS my boss. Heh. ;)
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Hah, I always looked at the role of a President though as the boss of a nation so... ^_^;;
 
#51
Marcus Alan said:
Obviously, but that does not mean you should be free from the intimidation of the President of the United States
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Do you mean "should" or would? I personally think everyone in this country should feel comfortable criticizing any public official he or she sees fit. It is, in fact, your right as a citizen. Now whether you would or not is a different story...

Marcus Alan said:
Hah, I always looked at the role of a President though as the boss of a nation so...
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I can see why some people might think that, but it's factually incorrect. We have set up a system of checks and balances in this country specifically to separate the powers of government. As I'm sure you know, there are a great many arguments going on in the U.S. right now as to whether this particular President has outstepped his bounds in this regard.

Matt
 
#53
mattsk42 said:
...but it's stupid to talk politics on a comedy post.
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What an utterly ridiculous thing to say. Colbert's routine was political humor. And I would submit that, for many folks, whether you find his routine funny or not has a lot to do with whether or not you agree with his comments.

Furthermore, much of this thread has focused on the appropriateness of his comments, which naturally and necessarily raises questions of decorum when addressing politicians, the level of reverence--if any--our elected officials deserve, and, generally speaking, whether or not one "should" criticize those in power.

By the way, do you call all discussions you don't care for "whining," or just the ones that you feel ill-equiped to engage in?

Matt
 
#54
Marcus Alan said:
Hah, I always looked at the role of a President though as the boss of a nation so...
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stringbass69 said:
I can see why some people might think that, but it's factually incorrect. We have set up a system of checks and balances in this country specifically to separate the powers of government. As I'm sure you know, there are a great many arguments going on in the U.S. right now as to whether this particular President has outstepped his bounds in this regard.

Matt
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True. We are actually the President's collective "boss." The people of the US have, in effect, "hired" GWB through the electoral process (yes, there are some who would argue this point, but that's for another topic) to represent our nation's interests, however, his power is checked by the Legislative and Judicial branches. The US people also have the ability to "fire" said representative after a single term through that same electoral process if they feel that he has not performed in the best interest of our nation. Obviously, there is much spirited debate in this regard, and being it is GWB's second term, the debate is more an issue of firing the political party at this point. So I digress... :eyebrow:
 
#55
mattsk42 said:
Well it's political. Someone shut it down...

Or, you guys could quit whining at each other and take it to PM or a NEW THREAD or EMAIL or A DIFFERENT FORUM..... no offense, but it's stupid to talk politics on a comedy post.
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orly_owl.jpg


I don't see any hostility or whining in this thread. Thanks for playing!
 
#56
stringbass69 said:
And I would submit that, for many folks, whether you find his routine funny or not has a lot to do with whether or not you agree with his comments.
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Maybe, but I watch Colbert regularly and enjoy his humor even though I don't normally agree with his viewpoints. In this case, I didn't think this was his best material nor his best delivery. I think he was more intimidated about roasting the Pres than some others may believe.
 
#59
Herman said:
Maybe, but I watch Colbert regularly and enjoy his humor even though I don't normally agree with his viewpoints. In this case, I didn't think this was his best material nor his best delivery. I think he was more intimidated about roasting the Pres than some others may believe.
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I agree with you, actually. I enjoy his basic style and delievery but don't always side with his political bent. I don't find this to be the case with most of his or Jon Stewart's fan base, however. A lot of those folks will laugh at whatever these cats say--funny or not--if it contains a nice "zinger" toward Bush or Republicans or religious folks or...

You get the point.

I do think you may be right about Colbert's intimidation level at this event. He didn't seem to "flow" quite as well as he normally does. I did like the bit about going with your "gut," though. Especially when he said, "that's because you looked it up in a book."

Matt
 

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