Love Jon Stewart, but as I'm not a "moderate", I won't be attending the "Million Moderate March"

[whatchamacallit]

I'm sure it will be loads of fun, but I'm weary of the media push to the "center". A center now farther right then right used to be. There's a full court press to marginalize the left. We're getting it from every direction: the media, the administration, some of our brethren on DU... I hope all dems going will have a great time, but I can't bring myself to join in a message discipline orgy, no matter how hip and fun.

[warrior1]

1. The whole message

is to lighten up.

[Faygo Kid]

2. I thought about that, too, but we're still going. If it pisses off the Right, it's worth it.

And they are definitely pissed about it. They can't stand satire (they don't get it) and hate ridicule (see: Rush, O'Reilly).

That works for me.

[hlthe2b]

3. He's not implying "political moderate," he means those of us

who are capable of moderating our behavior and attitudes towards civil discussion and discourse.

I think you have totally misconstrued what this is all about. Stewart preach "message discipline?" You've got to be kidding me. This is parody and satire first and foremost but like all good political satire with an underlying point-- to expose the crazies for what they are and by doing so, hope to restore some sanity to the whole process.

[Taverner]

12. EXACTLY!!!!!!

Stewart's hardly a political moderate

But he's not freaking out

[blondeatlast]

4. With all due respect, I think you missed the point.

Are you one of those people? Excellent. Then we'd like you to join us in Washington, DC on October 30 -- a date of no significance whatsoever -- at the Daily Show's "Rally to Restore Sanity." Ours is a rally for the people who've been too busy to go to rallies, who actually have lives and families and jobs (or are looking for jobs) -- not so much the Silent Majority as the Busy Majority. If we had to sum up the political view of our participants in a single sentence... we couldn't. That's sort of the point.

[whatchamacallit]

9. Maybe

but pandering to squishy middle by adding people like Alan Greyson to your demagogue montage is a little outside my comfort zone. I dunno, maybe announcing with Bill Clinton as his special guest kinda put me over the edge.

[seattleblue]

5. This is not a march or rally. It is a publicity stunt for Stewart.

What a waste of time and resources when on the last weekend before the election people should be pushing for their candidates. The GOP will be laughing their asses off.

[stanwyck]

11. I see the event differently. We Dems are notoriously

difficult to inspire to vote during mid-terms, particularly our younger voters. I immediately perceived this event as a way to fire up liberal voters.

[seabeyond]

16. wrong on all counts. nt

[NJmaverick]

6. You completely missed his point. He was talking about MODERATING

the ridiculous hyperbole and over blown talking points, not ideology

[Hannah Bell]

7. +100. 30 years of "moderation" = 30 years of moves to the right.

it ticks me off they scheduled their event the same month as the oct 2 rally.

[pinboy3niner]

15. Yes, the scheduling is the real problem

Stewart's event is more likely to advocate for the left than the center, but he and Colbert are sure to siphon off some from the One Nation march. I'm already hearing some people saying they're trying to decide which of the events they'll attend!

As much fun as it would be to see Stewart and Colbert, One Nation will be a very significant gathering of progressives that is likely to be a real energizer for the Left. The networking opportunities alone will be invaluable. Choosing which to attend should be a no-brainer.

For anyone who hasn't seen the website yet, here's the One Nation march (10/2/10) link:
http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/pages/march-details

[JVS]

8. That's exactly why I prefer Colbert's rally.

It's more confrontational and in your face.

[Hansel]

17. The events are coordinated. In all likelihood it's going to be the same event.

They are comedians using satire to make a point. It is not a rally-off.

[TBF]

10. I love Jon's show -

but will not be going to the march. Anytime our issues are co-opted by celebrity it is the message that gets lost.

[xchrom]

13. Life is short. -- Go, have fun, take a camera. Nt

[whatchamacallit]

14. It is tempting, but

no. While I love the idea of a counter to Beckapalooza, I'm beginning to view appeals to normalcy as appeals to complacency.

[Hansel]

19. It's an appeal to sanity, not an appeal to normalcy or complacency.

I'm not sure why you are trying to make this into something that it is not. I think Jon believes that we can protest in this country without acting batshit crazy and still make your point.

The RW has gone off the deep end. We haven't. I think that is the point he is trying to make. That 80% of the country is not whackadoodles and have a right to have their voice heard. It's about damn time someone tried to address this. I for one am sick to death of the 24/7 coverage of the Tea Party as if they represent ALL working and middle class Americans and as if their complete separation from reality is the way all Americans feel. They are a fringe group.

Stewart is trying to make a point that there is a much larger group of Americans that are worth listening to that are actually sane. If you aren't one of them then don't go.

[whatchamacallit]

20. I get it

Unfortunately, as someone who questions the orthodoxy of 9/11, Stewart has made it clear I don't belong there with all you sane folks.

[TonyMontana]

18. There's a very big corporation about to make very big money here

More attention this gets, more ratings, more money for Viacom.

It's the same old shit.