A current DU litmus test...Colbert.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

So, if you saw Stephen Colbert at the Correspondents' Dinner, did you cheer?

If you did, you are a dyed-in-the-wool DU'er.

If not, then please explain why. Because, I believe that all DU'ers are cheering Stephen Colbert, with passion and conviction.

He spoke truth to power. He said what we've been saying for five years and he said it to the face of gwb.

I'm seeing disparaging posts about this watershed event, and I can't believe that any true blue DU'er had anything but an astonishingly positive response to Colbert tonight.

Just saying. :hi: MKJ

[Sydnie]

1. I cheered and tivo'd

watching it again right now. It's great!

[OhioChick]

2. He rocked.........

Had the whole family laughing like hell and cheering him on! :toast:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

18. Same here! We laughed and then dropped our jaws. And then LMAO!

My OP was directed to those on DU who are "offended" by Stephen's brillieant rant.

He was a hero, tonight, and the people of DU have recognized this. My OP was a response to lurkers whose heads are exploding right now, after being exposed to "truthiness".

You either love him, DU style, or you're the antithesis of DU. Sorry, it's my personal litmus test...thus the OP header.

Argh, I'm rambling. Confession time: I broke into the Rove indictment champagne, somehow it felt right. :patriot: MKJ

[Rosemary2205]

3. I thought it was awkward

I expected no less though and I expect Colbert knew what he had to say was going to flop like a rotten banana peel to that crowd. No one enjoys a true ass whipping.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

13. It's Always Awkward To See The Lone Voice In The Room Stand Up

and interrupt a love fest from occuring by speaking truth while making it clear the rest should be ashamed of themselves.

Ever been in a business meeting like that? When the lone voice stands up and declares that the plan is crap and why is he the only one that can see that? It's always an awkward moment, but that person's always one hell of a fucking hero too!

[Maven]

31. And for him to stay completely in character and not lose his nerve

when he knew he was making people uneasy makes me respect him even more.

Bravo!!!

[Mr_Spock]

67. They were actually laughing

They were just trying not to let Bush see them cause they are cowards.

[gkhouston]

107. I watched the video over at YouTube

where the speech is split up into three parts. It's quite noticeable that a goodly portion of the crowd is laughing easily and often in part one. Part two begins around the time Colbert makes the 68% disapproval remark and suddenly, we don't see Bush's reactions anymore and the audience got quieter, although there is still laughter in places. What was most noticeable to me was the dead silence in part 3 during the Helen Thomas bit -- I was laughing my ass off watching it on the 'puter, yet not a peep from the audience. Not even one chuckle. So it's funny when Bush is getting his ass whupped, correspondents, but when it's your turn for the switch, not so amusing...

[Stand and Fight]

4. Ummm... What? n/t

[Stand and Fight]

Gotcha.. Figured Crooks and Liars would have it:

http://crooksandliars.com/

[Mz Pip]

5. All I could think

was that I hope Stephen doesn't have to fly in a small plane soon. That was the most amazing performance I have ever seen.

I don't think Bush is very happy tonight. And that makes me very happy.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

6. One Of The Ballsiest Things I've Seen Politically Ever.

People have commented on the poor delivery or that the audience wasn't laughing. They need to get a grip and realize that he wasn't trying to make them laugh. He was trying to hold every damn person in the room accountable, and HE LOOKED THEM ALL IN THE EYES WHILE DOING IT! I give him much credit and respect for that alone. This wasn't about comedy, it was about blunt in your face fucking satire. He nailed em, and he nailed em all. They weren't supposed to laugh. They were supposed loathe him, as he spoke truth to power.

He fuckin rocked.

[NightOwwl]

27. Bingo!

I felt bad for him at first because the audience wasn't laughing, then I realized he didn't give a damn what they thought. He was there to give Bush and the press a message, which he accomplished magnificently.

[jbnow]

106. When I've watched it again

there was quite a bit of laughter except at a few lines. (For instance silence when he said something about sitting at a computer sending men into war)

There was even laughter when he knocked the press, but that laughter might have been the political and hollywood people.

[badgerpup]

35. Exactly!

Just because something is satire doesn't necessarily mean it's funny.
BTW..thanks :hug: for posting the transcript! :toast:

[WinkyDink]

65. Heh. That was Colbert's "A Modest Proposal". Wicked. Trenchant.

Brilliant.

[Mr_Spock]

68. I was rolling on the floor laughing - I guess he roasted EVERYONE!

Even the people in the audience who were too arrogant to enjoy being part of the best satirical performance I've ever seen. I was up half the night trying to calm down from my giddiness!

[converted_democrat]

71. I agree completely.. n/t

[Jacobin]

72. Precisely

He was making fun of the media as much as or more than Bush, and pointed out they are complicit in this disasterous administration......and they knew it......and they don't like anyone pointing that out....its too uncomfortable.....the media likes to pretend that they are really journalists and not highly paid propaganda talking head nitwits.

[ComerPerro]

100. Where, where, where can I see this?

[marlakay]

7. Looking all over for email address for Colbert

The ones on DU so far don't work and there is nothing on the comedy central site. Anyone know how...we want to thank him.

[titoresque]

20. here you go

:toast:
http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

8. Count me in as a true blue DU'er...

I thought Colbert was brilliant tonight!! I even taped the replay so Mr. Wonderful can see it tomorrow.

If I had been in the room at the Washington Hilton tonight, Steven would have gotten a standing ovation from me.

[PassingFair]

9. How do you rate me? I almost THREW UP!

I watched him before he got up to speak, and he seemed
nervous, but anxious to speak.

WHAT GUTS!

I don't think ANYONE has had the nerve to do what he
did tonight.

Funny thing is, my 14 year-old daughter told me the
other day that kids in her class think that Colbert
is a Republican! She then told me that lots of kids
in her class were "really stupid".

I still can't believe what I just saw. Jon Stewart
came close when he told "bow tie boy" that his show
was "hurting america".

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

29. ROFL, I guess throwing up with passion and conviction counts.

There were definitely a few chest clutching moments there. :-) MKJ

[BuyingThyme]

10. He denigrated fascism in the company of fascists.

He wins with real Americans, but loses with the DC crowd.

[The2ndWheel]

11. I'm not really a cheering guy

Laughed my ass off, but if you mean a standing ovation in front of the TV, no. It was fun to watch, but the press will do exactly what it was doing, and the administration won't stop doing what they're doing.

[question everything]

12. My jaw dropped

I could not believe that he was saying what he was saying and Bush was just a few feet away from him.

Very grateful for all the DUers that alerted us here for the rerun. By the time I caught it was 12:30 EDT..

I really cheered the chocolate marshmallow comment, and the glacier one..

[titoresque]

14. Cheered, screamed...

called my mom, she was on the phone with me racing home to turn the computer on. We listened and watched together. Wrote and sent him a thank you, now downloading from Crooks and Liars so that I can keep forwarding.........TRUE BLUE HERE! And sooooooo proud of Stephen Colbert tonight!
I see posts that people thought he was nervous and not funny. I did not see that he was nervous in fact I saw a very brave man behind that podium, also, I don't think he was trying to be funny the entire time....he was taking an opportunity to say what we've all wanted SOMEONE...ANYONE.... to say!
Thanks for saying it Stephen, and thanks for saying it so damn well!

[Catherine Vincent]

15. I plan to record his segment tomorrow when it repeats on CSPAN!

[Zodiak]

16. I secretly had the same thoughts

There is NO WAY a DUer would not enjoy what we just witnessed.

Colbert does not represent elected Democrats, the "liberal" media, or any other progressive or liberal institution. Any heat he acquires for this he takes on his own. I'm sure he doesn't mind...that was the act of a REAL American.

I am stil trying to process all of this...

We give each otehr high fives and send each toher 30 second clips of a little comment here and there. Hell, half of the time, the comment wasn;t really that incisive, but we are looking for anything we can in this bleak Bushworld.

Colbert just gave it all to us at once. It was too much.....even I was in pain from it. "Truthiness" hurts. I want to see it again...this time not in shock.

[immoderate]

17. The audience was mostly in shock.

When they watch the tape they'll see how funny it was. They really did not see it coming. It was awesome and brilliant.

--IMM

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. There will always be a few who want to pee on the campfire.

Oh, yeah; it was "inappropriate" for this kind of event. Or harsh criticism will create sympathy for Bush. Or it will make Democrats and liberals look bad. We must always be polite and tasteful and appropriate, never, ever make anybody feel uncomfortable. Be timid, acquiescent, tasteful, timorous, and always appropriate.

We sure win a lot of elections that way, don't we?

We sure prevent a lot of wars that way, don't we?

I call bullshit. It's about time somebody stood up and said what needed to be said, right to Bush's face. I am so sick of chickenshits who pretend to be liberals but don't have the courage of their convictions and who try to throw cold water on those who do.

Good for Stephen Colbert and Helen Thomas; now let's hope they serve as an inspiration to the others to grow spines and balls and stand up for the truth instead of worrying about giving offense.

[alcibiades_mystery]

21. Consider me purged

Then again, I think "speaking truth to power" is overrated, and I prize rhetorically savvy performances.

:shrug:

[titoresque]

22. huh?

seriously?

[alcibiades_mystery]

23. Yeah, seriously

And?

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

28. Would you have done the same? Given an opportunity to face gwb and

speak in a public forum, on the record, via film and transcript?

Just wondering, since it's been a long, dry spell since gwb has had to sit and "take it"...at least since CSK's memorial.

Do you believe it wasn't a brave act? MKJ

[Gabi Hayes]

38. so....please favor us with examples of rhetorically savvy performances.

can't wait to see them

they should be utterly peerless

hurry!!

[alcibiades_mystery]

58. Peerless?

OK. I'll go with the paradigmatic example: Joseph Welch sticking it to Joe McCarthy. Everyone, of course, remembers the "at long last, have you no sense of decency" line, but the work-up to it was remarkably skillful, and the line would have fallen flat without the work-up to it. Thomas Farrell does a wonderful analysis of Welch's rhetorical approach in Norms of Rhetorical Culture.

Good satire, in any case, is always audience directed. It should both make the audience laugh, and cause the audience to reflect on its own practices. Colbert maybe accomplished one of these yesterday. Maybe. Think how much better it would have been if he had managed to have the audience laughing at the same time that he excoriated them. That's rhetorical savvy.

Oh wait, I know. Litmus test. I'm not falling all over myself celebrating, so I must be a freeper. Yeah, I get it.

[WinkyDink]

66. I refer again to the never-surpassed "A Modest Proposal". DARE

you to laugh.

MAD magazine doesn't comprise the entire spectrum of satire.

[alcibiades_mystery]

73. A Modest Proposal is hilarious

As is most of Swift's satire. What are you talking about?

[Mr_Spock]

69. Yawn - I guess not much to enjoy in your life

:(:(:(:(:(

I'm glad I'm not you.

Nothing can ever be good enough for some...

Even after 5 years of this awful leader and finally someone gets to speak truth to power and "oh, it was only half good"!!??

Unfucking believable. What a god damned stick in the mud.

Do you not see any good anywhere?

Geeez!

:eyes:

[alcibiades_mystery]

77. Oh my

I feel so....joyless. Or not.

Plenty to enjoy in my life (have a wonderful little baby daughter, matter of fact), and I don't really see any reason for all the personal attacks just because I'm not falling all over myself in celebration of Colbert's supposed "speaking truth to power." As I've already stated, I think the whole "speaking truth to power" thing is way overrated. Moreover, I see plenty of good, this just wasn't it.

I'm sorry I couldn't hop along to your party, but I just didn't find it that funny or even interesting.

[Mr_Spock]

82. Maybe you should post on a diaper discussion website

Seems like it might be more enjoyable to you.

You clearly aren't into politics DU style...

[alcibiades_mystery]

83. LOL

Uh...OK. I didn't realize "politics DU-style" required participation in the Colbert lovefest. :eyes:

Very strange notion of politics you must have, son.

[Mr_Spock]

89. He captured EVERY SINGLE Bushco fiasco in 40 minutes!!!

It was the only time I've ever seen Bush have to take his medicine with no way of escaping.

If you don't think that's significant, they you are living in some kind of bubble world.

The insular President had his insulation stripped - this was extremely significant!!!

[alcibiades_mystery]

90. That's what I don't buy: the myth of the insulated President

Bush is well aware of all these criticisms, as are the media. Are the criticisms all true? Of course they are. Have the administration and the media found ways to categorize them such that they are ineffective? Yes. DUers who see this as significant do so because they believe that "speaking truth to power" has some kind of effect. It does not, and perhaps never has. It's a big myth that these people can be shamed or otherwise embarrassed. If Bush was angry, it was because these criticisms, which are categorized as leftist rubbish in his thought system, invaded his space. But this isn't the same has him "taking his medecine." It's likely he viewed it as a breach of (royal) decorum, but as a political criticism, it was same ole same ole. Ditto with the press. They think it is just lefty childishness that doesn't get the complexity of journalism or the world sitiation. In other words, this stuff is easily relegated and marginalized for them, as it has been with Colbert as well. These people have their own version of the truth, and their own version of power. It's not so much that "speaking truth to power" is excluded from their worldview. It is not excluded. No, far worse. It is included and marginalized. Colbert's supposedly ground-breaking and significant performance can thus be easily fit into a pre-existing slot and filed away precisely where it was expected to be filed away. It is not significant. If anything, it was painfully routine. Now, had Colbert been a bit craftier, he could have broken that shell, schizzed-out their categories, thrown confusion into their filing system. That's where the thing fails for me.

It's funny that DUers often get called pessimists. Rather, they are cock-eyed, almost cringingly naive optimists. They think a performance like Colbert's means something, does something. They think "speaking truth to power" means something, has effects. They are wrong, for the most part. We should take Bush seriously when he calls 20 million anti-war protesters a focus group, not because he's wrong, but because he is precisely correct: he's precisely correct about the way power works in a way that naive, optimistic DUers are almost always wrong. Of course, that is why Bush and his gang of criminals control the levers of power in our society, while naive DUers cheer a late-night comic's utterly predictable rant at a third-rate award dinner.

[titoresque]

98. You're the focus

people like you who have given up. That's the focus. How to get more people like you, people who know the truth, to shut the fuck up! To sit quietly and just watch it all go to shit because hey "speaking truth-to-power is overrated" Right?
I'm sorry you fell for it.
It's not all of us optimistic, empowered DUers who are naive, it's you.

[alcibiades_mystery]

99. And you're totally

wrong, but I'm guessing that's normal. The only thing I've given up on is useless and ineffective strategies. I'll leave those to you, since they apparently make you feel better about yourself. Cheers.

[incapsulated]

97. Please compare it to...

A performance directed at this administration. To Bush's face. With him forced to listen. In front of an audience. Televised.

Mark Twain is dead. Even in the 60's we had the Smothers Brothers. Something like this is rare, these days, and Colbert deserves praise for having the balls to do it. It would have been easy, easy, easy to play it safe. I'm not going to say it was the most brilliant satire I have ever viewed. Just the most satisfying, given the circumstances of the event.

I doubt given the content of his performance, he was expecting guffaws from the audience he was skewering. Not everyone likes being the butt of a "joke", especially when it is really a deep and painful jab. That is what made this whole thing rather.... courageous. The way he consistantly turned to face Bush while making his false praise and delivering barbs, while the chimp had a redfaced grimace throughout, was pretty awesome to watch. It wasn't Rickles roasting Martin, lol.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

42. Please grace us with some examples of "rhetorically savvy performances".

[rucky]

47. Carrot Top! n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

59. See post 58

Since you asked the same question, I'll just refer you to the same answer. I'm just glad I didn't see your post before you edited it. I shudder to think what was there before...

[LSK]

24. i cheer him, but i also fear for him

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

25. It was the "platform" remark that connected with a jolt. Something like

"he doesn't just stand for platforms, he stands on platforms, like an aircraft carrier, rubble and the ruined city of a flood".

Holy shit, this guy took DU's favorite talking points and said them to gwb's face! MKJ

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

33. Yup, that's when I thought, "Oh, Jesus; I can't believe he said that!"

And I loved it. But sweet God, what balls!

[JVS]

95. This one

"I stand by this man because he
stands for things.
Not only for things, he stands
on things.
Things like aircraft carriers
and rubble and recently flooded
city squares.
And that sends a strong
message, that no matter what
happens to America, she will
always rebound with the most
powerfully staged photo ops in
the world."

It is quite a feat to be able to call the president such a poseur in his very presence

[mike_c]

26. I've only seen the partial video posted on C&L...

...but it was truely amazing. My hat's off to Stephen Colbert!

[RoyGBiv]

30. I don't believe in litmus tests ...

But if I did, this would be it.

The (very few) criticisms I've seen were posted by people who either a) didn't see it b) were, shall we say, rather transparent, or c) obsessively focused on some lame critique that might play well at a professional critics convention but doesn't mean much in the larger context.

A person may not have laughed -- I found only a few open guffaw moments myself, but then I don't think belly laughs was the point -- but if a person doesn't appreciate the depth of what he did or willingly refuses to understand what a thorough smackdown it was, I don't think that person and I have much to talk about.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

32. :-) eloquently said. Not much in common, indeed. n/t

MKJ

[helderheid]

74. Couldn't have said it better!

:applause:

[Protagoras]

80. K/R for your response RoyGBiv

Gotta give full credit to the rainbow.

[fudge stripe cookays]

85. Yes, and he wasn't FUNNY!

No one was laughing! So he didn't accomplish anything! And all our arguments are bogus, because we just want everyone to march in lockstep. And stuff. ;-)

You know who I'm talkin' 'bout. Nice job last night, by the way. :thumbsup: You said it way more eleoquently. I was way too cranky to argue sensibly.

[Warren DeMontague]

34. Guess I pass.

And here I thought I was an atheist whackjob.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

43. Did you see it or not?

[Warren DeMontague]

45. Oh, hell yeah. I had to run out and TIVO the repeat once the buzz started.

Great. And appalling, too, because you could have heard a pin drop in the audience after some of the best lines, as the media Bush toadies collectively gasped. Too scared to laugh, I'm sure.


It was beautiful. Best thing I've seen in a long time.

[Swamp Rat]

36. I was ecstatic!

:bounce:



:patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

37. I watched it on C&L....cause I just got home.....

I was laughing so loud, in my office, on my computer...that my husband, a whole flight down from where I was located, screamed that I needed to shut the door....

It was hillarious.......and from what I hear, there was more. Can't wait to see it.

Those clowns know it was all true......that's why it wasn't funny TO THEM.

[shadowknows69]

39. It was beautiful

And I'd have cheered but it's 5 in the AM here. I'll save it and watch it with the wife later.

[KeepItReal]

40. Stephen was that man that stood in the way of a column of tanks

If only for a moment, he spoke for all of us to people that refuse to hear our voices.

[Gabi Hayes]

46. well, I wouldn't go quite that far (that's me, only), because, to me,

that's the most stirring image I've ever seen

It is an interesting analogy, though, and I can see why you thought of it

it'd make a great cartoon, though, the two of them holding hands in front of the chimp riding a tank!

hmmmm.....the more I think of it, the better I LIKE it

I'm going to email wizard of whimsy.....sometimes he's taken my suggestions

[KeepItReal]

48. He showed guts in a room full (with a few notable exceptions) of cowards

Gotta admire that.

[BooScout]

41. I didn't see it.....

I did read the transcript......and I thought it was bang on! Frankly, anyone here that thinks it did more harm than good is supect in my eyes. :think:

[Occulus]

79. You're not the only one.

Good thing we have an 'ignore' button.

[Freedom_Aflaim]

44. Well I cheered, but I don't think

it was a "watershed event".

It was a damn nice jab, but it will be largely forgotten by next week. ihmo. I really don't think it will change anything.

Still, it was a fine moment. A moment to enjoy.

[Tsiyu]

49. I agree with you 100%

I only read the transcript aloud to my daughter (who is feeling puny) and both of us were in stitches.

I imagine watching Colbert was competely satisfying to any true DUer.

It's just too pitiful that some other Americans are so dumbed-down, they need a laugh-track to stay focused on humor and genius. What the hell?


Anyhoo, I hope to see a rerun. If I were a younger woman, I would have Colbert's love child....

:hi:

[Gormy Cuss]

91. Oh, you must see it to get the full effect.

He does a masterful imitation of W's physical gestures and postures.

[cali]

50. I loved what he said but

I didn't think he was funny. In any case, I reject your premise that if you didn't cheer Colbert on you're not a real progessive, or liberal or DUer or whatever.

[Disturbed]

51. "He was speaking the truth. Plainly."

Most of his lines weren't funny because they were so blatantly, sadly true. The Helen Thomas bit wasn't funny and it went on way too long. He shouldn't have included that. His commentary was brilliant. If he would have ended after that, I feel that the audience in the room would have been stunned.

[Karenina]

62. What you're missing

is that his "audience" was NOT in the room. His AUDIENCE was glued to their screens in the MILLIONS, which will expand to MORE MILLIONS before this day is done. And THEY are FREAKING OUT!

As for the HT bit, *dauphin has tried to shut her down and was FORCED to watch her face on the big screen. SHE is the one that demanded the truth about Iraq. THAT was the biggest hammer of all; a stroke of genius!

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

61. Yeah, I went a little overboard with the litmus test thing. I was so

overwhelmed by Stephen Colbert's performance and intensely gratified to see him look gwb in the eyes and say what he said, that I couldn't conceive of anyone on DU who didn't respond the same way.

After a good night's sleep...I still can't understand any DU'er who won't celebrate that moment in time.

My OP was a response to those who seem determined to trash an event that resonated on such a visceral level with most of us here.

LOL, edit function long expired, so I'm stuck with my slightly overblown hyperbole. :hi: MKJ

[TheUnspeakable]

52. I was cheering and gasping-

sitting by myself- just in awe! I read a transcript, but watching it was something else.
What i couldn't believe is that he kept looking at **. I just emailed Comedy Central and thanked them for "The Bravest Man in America!!"

[Raksha]

53. Laughed and cried at the same time.

I already knew about the audience reaction from reading DU before I watched the video, but I really wasn't paying all that much attention. Too caught up in my own reaction, and amazed that anyone would have the chutzpah to tell the truth RIGHT in front of the chimp-in-charge!

[Alamom]

54. I just watched the replay @ 5 a.m. I already knew what to expect

from the audience due to earlier posts.

I couldn't take my eyes off Colbert. Little applause, very few smiling faces,(except Helen) B*sh looking like he could croak.....it was great.

Too much truth and reality to be considered funny.


WE NEED TRUTH AND REALITY...It's long past due and Mr. Colbert did the job regardless of who he is or is not

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

55. I kept yelling at the screen "I love you! I love you! I love you! And Yes!

Yes! Yes! etc..." If anyone outside of my home heard me, they probably thought I was having the most boisterous session of sex ever heard! ;)

I was in heaven finally knowing that the Shrub and his Complicits were captive and having their feet held to Stephen's scorching fire.

:) :) :)

[deutsey]

56. I was too stunned to cheer.

Colbert was amazing.

[Bonobo]

57. My email to Comedy Central:

If all that John Stewart had done in his life was give Stephen Colbert to do what he did to George Bush last night, his life is already justified a million times.
Colbert is the Edward Murrow of our generation, speaking the truth when every else is too scared or too comfortable or too in denial.
Colbert=patriot. I love him. Thanks Colbert, Stewart and Comedy Central!

[timtom]

60. I haven't even seen it yet

And I cheered! I just downloaded the wmv and my son and I are about to watch it.

Count on even more cheering!

[malaise]

63. Colbert was brilliant

absolutely brilliant.

[helderheid]

64. cheered, tivo'd, and celebrated here.

[Sisaruus]

70. Newbie dyed-in-the-wool DU'er

With less than 60 posts under my belt, I cheered.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

75. Welcome to DU, Sisaruus! What a great time to come on board:-)

:hi: MKJ

[Clark2008]

76. I actually sat there amazed.

He just busted the HELL out of EVERYONE, which shocked the shit outta me.

At first, I was actually embarrassed for Bush, believe it or not - and that takes a lot coming from me.

Now, I'm not complaining, but, deep down, I still have respect for the Office of the President despite what the dipshit Shrub has done to it, so my FIRST reaction was to be a bit rattled that Colbert would say these things.

But, then, it hit me that he was dead-on accurate and I started laughing and laughing hard. There was not a THING Colbert said that wasn't true, that wasn't something I'd said myself in the past. The difference is that Colbert had the internal fortitude to say it in FRONT of the Bubble Boy, himself.

He deserves a huge bit of :applause: , lots of :loveya: and enough DUers and our friends to protect him from the corporate media shits (and I was a reporter for 12 years).

Colbert better not get on any small planes anytime soon, though.

[lonestarnot]

78. HE WAS FANTASTIC!

All those diners are cryin' in their soup for him today! bbbbbbwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaa :rofl: pissed my pants laughing at their faces!

[AwakeAtLast]

81. In the words of the immortal AC/DC

"He's got big balls!"

Steel ones. Platinum. Titanium.

It was glorious!

:hi:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

84. I've been on vacation, but still I didn't miss it.

I watched it with my mouth agape and was struck speechless. Honestly it took me awhile to laugh I was so shocked. Once I started, however, I couldn't stop. :)

[brentspeak]

86. I just watched it, and thought it was funny...but your "litmus test"sounds

like thought-policing.

[NervousRex]

87. Either with us or against us...

huh?.....yawn

[Pathwalker]

88. Until last night, mu husband couldn't stand Colbert. Today,

Stephen Colbert is his new comedy GOD. We went to bed repeating his lines, giggling ourselves to sleep.
We laughed so hard it was downright therapeutic. The courage it took for him to SAY what he said is not small, and the reaction of the press was a national embarrassment. I did notice however, that Ann Compton seemed quited thrilled with Mr. Colbert; she talked and laughed with him for several minutes afterward and didn't seem the least bit shy about being seen approving of him.
We laughed ourselves silly! :rofl:

[ContraBass Black]

92. So, is DU acidic or basic?

;)

[ComerPerro]

101. Depends on the day and the poster

I find it somewhat acidic... And that's a good thing

[VTMechEngr]

93. No I didn't cheer!

I was too busy trying to get air back into my lungs from laughing so hard B-)

[JVS]

94. He was funny as hell

"I stand by this man because he
stands for things.
Not only for things, he stands
on things.
Things like aircraft carriers
and rubble and recently flooded
city squares.
And that sends a strong
message, that no matter what
happens to America, she will
always rebound with the most
powerfully staged photo ops in
the world. "

[originalpckelly]

96. I think the substance of what he was pointing out was excellent...

but for some reason it wasn't as funny The Colbert Report.

Like I have previously said, I think it is all about that timing issue. I think the only thing that keeps Colbert Sounding funny is the juxtaposition of the funny captions or of people who believe those things.

Maybe it was because Bush didn't squirm like Kristol (and all the other little Repukes that go on his show.) I just can't put my finger on it.

I think it was like the Oscars for Jon Stewart, not as funny as the Daily Show. Who knows why?


Hint:
We aren't a bunch of mindless zombies, we don't have to agree on everything. That kind of with us or against us crap is what Bush pulls, and your obviously better than that.

[Chimichurri]

102. Mr. Colbert was fearless!

I was waiting to see if he would water it down after some of the reaction and what he did instead was turn and address Bush face-to-face without flinching. Muchos huevos grandes!!

His courage to satire truth to power has made him a legend forever! I am proud to be a part of the Colbert Nation!!

[philosophie_en_rose]

103. He didn't look like he was having fun; and seemed a little unprepared.

I was looking forward to a full-on Colbert Report presentation - with a fast-paced style and unrepentent, aggressive cluelessness. But he relied on notes fairly heavily, and didn't seem to put his heart into being as aggressively Colbert-ish as usual.

The crowd was full of idiots that didn't laugh appropriately. Much different than Colbert's audience.

I think Colbert has balls; he's smart and he finally snuck in some truth. He was brave, but I wish he let himself just go. He seemed to be intimidated a little by the President. Maybe they threatened him or something.

[DemGirl7]

104. I cheered

I love Colbert. The only problem I had with the dinner, is that really can't stand the majority of those in attendance, and I have real hard time putting away my disgust for them. But Colbert was awesome, and is true comic genius.

[madokie]

105. I'm still laughing my okie ass off, Just watched for the umteenth time

I happened to catch it live too.