Maureen Dowd and Jon Stewart: Senator Obama Has a Sense of Humor Do You?

Maureen Dowd says that Senator Obama needs to lighten up. Jon Stewart agrees. Why would anyone with a sense of humor be bothered by a mere cartoon? So what if it's a little racist, and a little tasteless, and might help right wing crazies stay in control of our country for another eight years? This is America! Everything is funny! Right?

Maureen Dowd's column -- about the Obama camp not joining in all the good-humored "fun" over the New Yorker cover -- (New York Times July 16) was one of those miserable wastes of space that even good columnists turn out on slow days. Dowd wrote: "If Obama keeps being stingy with his quips and smiles, and if the dominant perception of him is that you can't make jokes about him, it might infect his campaign with an airless quality. His humorlessness could spark humor."

Stingy? Humorless? Who has Dowd been watching? Apparently not Obama but rather the media talking about Obama, when they need to say something to keep a news cycle going, even one based wholly on nonsense.

As for Jon Stewart calling the cover of the New Yorker a mere "cartoon" that no one should get mad about, has he somehow missed the last 300 years of black American struggle against being stereotyped? Maybe Stewart felt compelled to defend his fellow humorists.

But here's the deal; a sense of humor is about knowing what is funny and what is not. Crazy people laugh all the time. Sane people only laugh at what is funny.

For the last 16 years I've been successfully writing novels for a living, often drawing on the amusing side of my fundamentalist childhood. Portofino, Zermatt and Saving Grandma have been called "laugh out loud funny" by Andre Dubus, Richard Eder and many other writers and critics. My memoir Crazy For God was hailed as amusing by Jane Smiley and generates lots of email from readers saying they laugh reading it. So maybe I know something about humor. I like humor!

I've watched just about every televised speech Senator Obama has delivered during the primary and campaign. I watched every debate. I've loved his wry sense of humor, indefatigable wit and charm. I'm a former Republican that Obama won over BECAUSE of his charm, and of course because of his ideas and character too.

As readers of my last Huffington Post blog know, I didn't think the New Yorker cover was a joke. I thought it was disgusting. But that's not my point here. My point is that this presidential race isn't about humor. It's about restoring America.

Here's a thought for Maureen Dowd and Jon Stewart: some things are serious. Here are a few examples:

• The first black person successfully running for the presidency in our racist country,
• The first chance that America has had in 8 years to get beyond government by fear and exchange it for leadership through hope,
• The first opportunity our country has had to end a disastrous, unjust, stupid and unnecessary war (something I feel personally rather deeply about since my Marine son fought in that war),
• The first opportunity we've had in 8 years to redeem America's good name around the world and therefore diminish the chances of our country being attacked, our soldiers killed and our lives being put at risk,
• Our best chance to win the real war against our actual enemies who are hiding in Afghanistan and Pakistan, rather than continuing to be distracted by a phony war in Iraq against people who never did us harm,
• The first chance we have had to address our huge and potentially terminal environmental problems through a president--and Democratic majority--that will actually do something to save our earth's ability to sustain life
• The first opportunity that our country has had in our lifetimes to elect a president whose background will help us heal the racial, cultural and economic divide that has haunted us since the days of slavery, Jim Crow, lynching and legalized discrimination,
• The best chance we've had to reform health care,
• A chance to elect a brilliant and charismatic leader the likes of which has not been seen since FDR, who has inspired a whole new generation to step forward and is challenging them to serve our country, just as we were about to give up on altruism.

Barack and Michelle Obama are the most charmingly self-deprecating political figures I've seen in my lifetime. There is a human and down-to-earth quality to them. So the media line on their "humorlessness" is pure BS. But even if it were not BS, Obama is not running to provide Jon Stewart, Maureen Dowd and late night comedy writers with material. He is running to save this country.

There are worse things than being serious. Being robbed of a country that that we can be proud of is one of those things. Being robbed of our future is another. We are voting for Obama to restore hope, decency and national pride, without which laughter makes no sense.

Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of "CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back"

Comments

[SeanGardner]

Jon Stewart was wrong. You're right Frank.

I was absolutely taken aback by Stewart's monolouge because it gave the impresion that only "muslim extremist get angry" over "cartoons" so Obama shouldn't get mad at it because he is not a muslim extremist.

Never mind that Stewart didn't deal with his wife being portrayed as a black panther radical.

While I don't get any of my news from Stewart, and haven't watched a full show of his in two years (by choice), his mere declaration that's it a cartoon is kinda like the way he runs his staff: he has no non-white interns; no non-white technical support; no non-white producers; and no non-white writers. I know this because a friend of mine works at COMEDY CENTRAL. So there is literally no one around Stewart to say, "Jon, here is another perspective on the NEW YORKER cover you should consider, another way of seeing it." So he is ill-equipped because his worldview doesn't have a counter balance among his writers and producers. If so, where is it?

I'm not disappointed by Dowd.

I am disappointed by Stewart. But you know, I knew there was a reason I stopped watching him.

[Eoin45]

Dowd writes like a snarky, overprivileged high school girl. Her column is glorified gossip. If the New Yorker had run a cartoon satirizing her lack of maturity and substance she'd throw a fit.

[cariintexas]

I don't even bother with Stewart anymore. He's sooooo in the tank for Hillary he's pathetic. Guess he is the new PUMA man.

[Titonwan]

Jon Stewart's right and you're dead wrong. What Obama finds funny is the rule of law and justice for illegal wiretapping and torture. By caving on FISA, Barack risks more than a stupid parody cartoon. Better you get your priorities straight. People are smarter than you think.

[generationyes]

Second sentence has no basis in fact.

[Eoin45]

Neither does the first. It's simply opinion.

[wm1066]

Good article!
But I am amazed at the number of people who didn't understand what you are saying and have picked and chosen sentances out of context and responded as if you are saying just the opposite of what you said. Its like some people only read the headline and think they know what the auther wrote about.
I have been guilty of this, and boy did I feel like a fool.

[wigcon]

Did Jon Stewart say it was funny? I think his point is: only muslim extremist get upset about cartoons, to wit the Danish cartoons supposedly depicting "the prophet," who no one knows what he looks like. Satire may be funny but it is also to make you think, i.e. think before you speak. Most of the people who hold the views being lampooned in the cover haven't bothered to speak before they spout their erroneous views. The cover is a mirror to reflect to them their silly perceptions.
Racism? I don't see any racism in the style of the cartoons published throughout the history of this country depicting blacks in racist stereotypes. Nothing in the NYer cover is distinguishing their race only the misperceptions of their ideas.
Do you know how many people are dying in the middle east each day, starving in africa and losing their homes in the usa? There are so many more important issues to spend time on.

[generationyes]

"Only muslim extremist get upset about cartoons." That right there is ridiculous on its face. Jon Stewart is not in charge of what people get upset about. People's feelings are what they are, and those who were upset have just as much right to those feelings as those who believe it's just a little fun. You all ought to just be OK with other people having their own perspective as you are with your own.

[Cherlesq]

Certain muslims were troubled by the Dutch cartoon so much so a fatwa on the publishers. Obama's campaign just said it was tasteless. There is no real comparison here. The inherent nature of racism begins with ignorance. The cartoon was so sophisticated in it's irony as to not reach those racists is should have been meant for to send the message that their fears were baseless and manufactured. In the end the audience was the media who hit on it like a shark to hunk of bloody flesh resulting in zooming sales. Which was the real point wasn't it? Jon Stewart and Dowd writing and talking about it is designed to iliicit the same response- buy, buy, buy. The media is not interested how their words and drawings will affect the American people and the hopes op this election. The only thing is the effect - what ever it may be. One word about Dowd. Something is wrong in her life lately she is more melancholy and sour than usual. Let's see if she doesn't bounce back.

[MrPragmatic]

Lighten up already, please! If Mr. Obama is to be treated with total reverence and beyond reproach at all times then it is only fair to treat all politicians with same kid gloves. However, I suspect that the bunch who decries the New Yorker cartoon would have had no problem with one that lampooned John McCain, the Clintons, or W. Will the Obama cult please snap out of it already and repeat after me: Obama is just a man, a mere mortal, and a very astute politician.

[Eoin45]

"I suspect that the bunch who decries the New Yorker cartoon would have had no problem with one that lampooned John McCain, the Clintons, or W." Then let's see one and I'll let you know. I don't think we'll see one any time soon with a similar slant vis a vis McCian.

[generationyes]

Jeez - why are you hip, sophisticates so dense? Who said anyone about deference? Some people have a legitimate beef with the depiction of the Obamas. What the hell is so hard to get about that. Can you accept that without belittling them?

[Rock81]

Mr. Schaeffer, you always write with logic and common sense. Thanks for bringing some critical thinking to this subject matter. I've got a sense of humor too and I didn't see a damn thing funny about that New Yorker cartoon.

[Cybersquirt]

I've got a sense of humor. I'm laughing my arse off at how many so-called intelligent people have their knickers in a twist over a brilliant, if not poorly framed, piece of satire.

I wonder why they are intentionally misconstruing the intent. Politcs of Fear for both sides, hmm?

[JimR]

Sorry, I disagree. The perception of the Obamas as radical Muslim extremists is out there, and the rabid right-wingers are trying to make it stick. That's what the New Yorker was satirizing, or trying to anyway. They totally blew the setup. In any case, politicians are fair game for satire, no matter which direction it goes in. Bush is often depicted as a monkey. Clinton was portrayed as a sex-crazed pervert. Anything goes. I support Obama, but he does not deserve special treatment when it comes to satire.

The outrage over this cover really does remind me of the reaction from Muslim fundamentalists over cartoons depicting Mohammed a few years ago. And that frightens me.

[Cybersquirt]

Agreed. Akin to paranoid zealots.

[MrPragmatic]

I feel much better now. Thanks JimR for your spot on analysis. I couldn't agree more.

[lafemme]

The people the cartoon took aim at do not read the New Yorker. The cartoon was not confirming the attitudes of these people; it was poking fun at them as is illustrated with the over-the-top illustration of so many caricatured stereotypes. Just because so many expressed horror at it does not make it less funny to those who found it so, nor does it transform the cartoon into what those expressing furor think it says. I understand those who believe this just furthers stereotypes but to whom, exactly?? Those who feel it does confirm those stereotypes are the very ones of whom the cartoon was making fun. And so we begin, again, and again, and again . . . . To the poster, above, I have never read any of your books, but most people lose me when they're compelled to let me know how funny others think they are.

[swift_goat_pet_for_truth]

"Just because so many expressed horror at it does not make it less funny to those who found it so, nor does it transform the cartoon into what those expressing furor think it says."

The reality is that each person has their own interpretation. Explanations will not make it more funny.
Nor does it become so by you saying so.

The cartoon is not "Transformed". It is. It is disgusting to those who see it that way, and it remains so regardless of what you or others might say.

I understand fully what the point of the cartoon is. But it is not funny to me, because, without context, I also see what the crack pot right wing will make of it.

But that is something you liberal elites will NEVER understand.

[xenofile]

That's interesting.
Personally, I took no offense, and I liked Obama's response -- that it's just a cartoon.
But you're actually the first person I've heard/read that actually thought it was *funny*.
I don't think I'll solicit your advice next time I go to the video store looking for a comedy.

[IowaKid]

You say for Obama to lighten up, how about at the same time the media lighten up.... Nothing but 24/7 7 days a week about a bunch of lies that some networks put out. I would agree that Obama might be a little gun shy but mg who wouldn't be under those same conditions.

[grailknight]

The cartoon was satire, which isn't necessarily funny. At one time Americans understood this. I've noticed that much of the commentary on the cartoon has been on how offensive it is, especially on the right, who have suddenly become "gracious" in defending Obama. Obama has commented negatively on it. This goes to show that Obama, as smart as he is, can't disern between comedy and satire. Moreover, he failed to grasp that the elements of the cartoon, from the constant Freudian slips of Obama-Osama, Barack HUSSEIN Obama, Michelle's alleged Black Power sympathies, and the fist bump, wasn't intended to satirize him, but the lame right wing press. This cartoon has been held up like a mirror to the right, which has recoiled from it reflection.

[kimest3e]

Thank you for your post.

[LJMinOKC]

I think what Frank Schaeffer is saying is that he believes THE NEW YORKER crossed the line of good taste with this one -- Some of us agree and some take the attitude of Dowd and Stewart. Let's face it, whenever we caricature/cartoon race/religion/ethnicity there's going to be a reaction -- good and bad. Dowd's column was unnecessary ... Stewart, well, he probably would not like a caricature relative to his religion on the cover either. Barack Obama appears to have a great sense of humor, along with his great intelligence and judgment, etc. His fans and backers know this ... somehow I believe Dowd and Stewart do too! Guess, it's called making a living ... HOWEVER, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING NOW IS HAVING A SMART PRESIDENT ELECTED, so some of us are nervous. McCain is a disaster as a candidate for this job ... yes, some of us are VERY nervous!!! So Dowd and Stewart take notice what the bottom line is here, PLEASE.

[nobullshit]

Are you kidding, John Stewart lampoons all stereotypes including Jews. If they had him in some Jewish caricature on the New Yorker and it was done well he'd probably laugh his patootie off!!!

[PLUMPLUM]

I can't believe I missed this yesterday Frank. Thank you for breaking it down for those who don't seem to understand what serious times we are living in.

I don't want a leader who goes around tripping over his own feet, making a fool of himself and providing so called fodder for these comedians. I am even surprised at Maureen Dowd's take on this. For years, since coming on the national scene, he has been trying to convince people that he is not a Muslim and this cartoon does not help. The believers are still 12 -14 per cent. It is funny at first glance but then you highly intelligent people went too far. What if these strange, exotic, black people are really like that? I wonder if these highly intelligent journalists know something that we don't?

cont'd - next post