Colbert Takes On Hannity's "Liberty Tree" (VIDEO)

Earlier this week, Sean Hannity introduced a new segment with this lead in:

At the end of that first protest in 1765 the Sons of Liberty hung two tax collectors in effigy from the branches of elm and from that day forward it became known as the Liberty Tree...Therefore, in the spirit of our founding fathers, with our liberties once again threatened, we introduce our own Liberty Tree. Now as you can see, our tree is built upon the roots of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and freedom. They support the trunk of the tree which is made of we the people. And the trunk supports the branches and the fruits of our liberty represented by the apples. It is those apples, the fruits of our liberty, that this administration is now picking clean.

We hope he's not implying he wants to hang members of the IRS from the tree in his mind, but one never knows with Mr. Hannity. You can see the full segment here.

Well, of course, this was perfect fodder for Colbert. The late-night host claimed that this infringed on a similar idea he had "the freedom fungus." He then went on to praise Hannity for having his liberty tree built on a root of liberty: "That's like building a stadium...on another stadium." It got even stranger when Hannity explained what fruit this tree bore.


WATCH:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Sean Hannity's Liberty Tree
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Comments

[jcollell]

Liberty Tree? This has to rank up there as one of the dumbest segments I have ever seen. Kinda funny how Sean talks about the fruit falling considering that all those things have already happened under the previous administration.

http://www.youspar.com/

[ECBA88]

Sean Hannity needs to hire some writers who understand how extended metaphors work. Colbert is amazing. "That's like building a stadium on a foundation of steel, concrete, and ANOTHER STADIUM!"

[American50]

Hannity is a Patriot!!!!!!!

[PuddinPie]

When is he being waterboarded? I say this should be a pay per view event with the proceeds should benefiting veterans and their families.

[SN365]

Sean Hannity is so stupid and is proud to be one.

[dutt]

Don't conservatives hate trees?

[Capitalist789]

Thats funny but I dont get it

[wltdnfaded]

The liberty tree analogy is probably the most retarded thing I've ever seen on television.

[Bubba Gump]

The Liberty Tree might not be so bad, used as a visual aid, if Hannity would use it to show his own views and pitch the virtues of conservative ideals. But, like usual, Hannity gets off focus by adding lies and twisted logic about President Barack Obama and the Democrats! It's hard for me to believe that Hannity's Liberty Tree is genuine truth when Hannity is spitting venom and lies about his political opponents. Hate and distortion are not a substitutions for compassion and truth.

[shadow322]

That's just what this country needs - someone like Sean Hannity leading us in some richaeous direction known only to those fruit specialists of the Republican right. Sean has always reminded me of someone who was spoiled while aging but never growing up. His inability to empathize with his fellow citizens has to be put at the top of the new republican banner (of which I used to be a member of, but quit when the self richeous took over the party). Every time I see this little man in action I want to smack him for his contempt for those not so special as he. And that goes for the baby Chenny too. America desxerves better and we're finally getting the message that true leadership is more than petty rhetoric.

[AxelDC]

Wanda Sykes: I can break Sean Hannity just by giving him a middle seat in coach.

[BillMelater]

Gee, I can't help but wonder why Sean didn't come up with this idea a few years ago.

[MarkieBee]

I'll Obama's Tree of Liberty over Bush's well, Bush of Epic Failure any day.

[newssponge]

Make Hannity live up to his waterboarding promise by making your pledge to the troops:

http://www.waterboardhannityforcharity.com

[KOisGod]

The thing is. Colbert "act" is satire. Fox's inane stunts are built on the inability of the wingers to understand irony, and so they embarrass themselves with their supposed defense of our forefather intentions. Believe me, they'd see the naked hypocrisy these millionaire entertainers who are guilty of stirring up the ignorant masses to go defend their theft, lies and treason.

[EconPadawan]

Does Hannity's Liberty tree allow for folks to eat hamburgers "any way" they want?

[DonCosenza]

As long as you don't try to eat them with any dijon mustard.

[Polyh3dron]

Eating hamburgers with dijon mustard is a threat to freedom, so we shall pass a law that makes us not free to use dijon mustard.

[Hansyp]

hahahaha that's why I love Colbert. He is the best.