Jon Stewart Isn't Funny Any More

Back in 2002 Jon Stewart was pretty darn funny. Heck, if it was a choice between laughing or crying -- I'd rather laugh. And Stewart was mad as hell -- and willing to poke his finger in the eye of the administration. Slowly, I found that he was the only voice I could manage to include in my daily news diet.

I'm beginning to wonder if this Is this really a Democracy any longer?

I've taken to listening to people on the Subway. Around me, as I ride to work, people talk about their children, about their jobs, about their love lives. The chit-chat about the day and the weather and life... mostly mundane things that make up daily life.

No one talks about the war. There's no talk about the economy, or the national debt, or the environment, or the number of soldiers who are dying around the world.

If a tree falls in the forest...

Now Jon Stewart seems exhausted. It's like he knows its no longer a laughing matter. Heck, for all his hard work to lampoon, expose, and humiliate the Bush Administration, it seems to make them stronger. The bigger the lie, the harder it is to truly believe its a lie. Bush wouldn't actually be trying to bankrupt the country... could he? Bush isn't actually trying to make the war so big, so inevitable that the Democrats won't have a way to wind it down. Could he really be that fatalistic in his vision of the future. Clearly, its not funny.

We're not talking about what's happening.

Today Frank Rich reminded me of what has been eating at me most. That in some way I've given up. I've stopped going to protest marches (do they have those any more?). I've stopped calling my congressman. I've stopped thinking that supporting a political candidate can make real change. I've resigned myself to the fact that I don't have the ability to make a difference, or change political tides, or have my voice heard.

I wasn't always this way.

At first, I thought that the Bush administration was engaging in a political coup. That the neo-con's would be seen for what they are, that the war profiteers and oil barons would be arrested, jailed, convicted. Stopped. But then 2004 happened. The passion, drive, anger and hope that fueled the election resulted in a strange ratification of the Bush Administration. You can accept any theory you want, that Kerry was a bad candidate, that there was voter fraud, that the media didn't do it's job as a watchdog, but -- as Jim Loftus, Kerry's Head Press wrangler, said in the gloom of the post election fallout -- "The Universe Hardly Cares."

Ugh. Right he was.

Now, 2006 arrives to set things right. And with great joy and feeling of accomplishment the Democrats win back both the House and the Senate. With great anticipation, i look forward to the righting of our democracy. The prosecution of those who knowingly lied to congress, who mis-led the UN, who pocketed billions of dollars in war proceeds as young men and woman died.

And so Frank Rich.

Wow. He called me a Nazi. Or a Nazi sympathizer. Or at least a Good German who shrugs his shoulders as if to say: "heck, i didn't vote for the guy."

I'm stung by the accusation. As a Jewish American the charge is deeply painful. Does that make Jon Stewart the court Jester? And what about the democrats?

With an election on the horizon (ok, its more than a year away -- but in my current political state of mind, I'm willing to believe that's right around the corner).

My deep sense of foreboding about the health of our Democracy reached a new low two weeks ago as I watched the Democratic Debate at Dartmouth from a hotel room in San Diego. One by one the Democrats acknowledged that the war had no end, that even in the abstract they couldn't imagine a timeline to end our misadventures in Iraq. Sure, not every Democrat said that. But the leaders of the pack, Edwards, Obama, and Clinton all did. We're staying. That's for sure.

So -- on November 5th, when I've gone to the polls and voted for Hillary (probably) and she announces a blue ribbon panel to begin to consider how we can begin to draw down troops over the next 6 years... and at the same time continue to pay blood money to mercenaries (oh, sorry -- 'contractors') who have some strange 077 license to kill... how will I look myself in the mirror.

My party will have the House, the Senate, and the White House. We'll have the political trifecta. And we won't be getting any further out of Iraq than we are now.

What will I say to Frank then?

And -- perhaps worst of all -- what will Jon Stewart have to laugh about?

Follow Steve Rosenbaum on Twitter: www.twitter.com/magnify

Comments

[Rescisco]

We're all exhausted. Jon Stewart, an entertainer for gosh sakes, should not have to be the only source of "news content" in the media (yet studies have shown that his program has more serious content than the network news broadcasts). People on the subway should have something to say about the war, the economy, or the national debt. That they do not is hardly surprising in a nation where an entertainer is the source of hard news and the MSM is flacking for the real Nazi's in thw administration. Frank Rich is right, people don't care. The Democratic opposition is not so much clueless as bought and paid for by the same industrial complex that runs the Bush administration. So, democracy is dead and I ain't feeling too good myself. But it may just be bad enough that a third way can be found and a new political party can create a new coalition out of the exhausted majority that can rescue the nation from politics as usual. That hope still lives.

[Pol123]

Well, I have experienced many of the same sentiments you write here, and somehow in my despair and anger for the Democrats, I watch Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, and other dem's I admire and try to simply stay hopeful...­.I have turned completely GREEN, though. Sorry Dem's, all of this do nothingness has JADED me a bit...

[PadrePio]

Then welcome to the wonderful world of Rudy

[metamorphosis]

Won't be any worse than the wonderful world of Hillary, just more honest.

[schmuckwithearlaps]

Steve makes some troubling points. It has become more difficult to be effective, and also more difficult to be cheerful. If any of the front runner Dems wins next year we will still have more of the same in Washington. All that will change is that Rush, Sean, Matt and Ann will put on their "away" uniforms and pretend it is 1999 again. I am not even sure the Dems can win next year unless we figure out how to sink the swift boat juggernaut.
This week we lost a million votes over the NASCAR smear, a thinly veiled lie that Dems are all snobs who hate real Americans. It worked. We lost. Period. It was not even close. Dems get blasted to hell even when the charges are false. Unless we figure out how to fight, we will continue to live the bad dream in which the sleeper fights the enemy without a weapon that works, or the Godfather scene, with liberals coming out of the bathroom with only our dicks in our hands.

[AnotherunhappyDemocrat]

All I can ask is that you don't give up. I also notice the difference between Jon Stewart's having been "funny" back then and "entertaining" now. And though we still need his entertainment to give us some light in this dark world, it's nonetheless hard to not give up. I don't give up because I see us as fighting for the sake of history. We won't win in the present, but if we continue our struggle, we will hopefully win the future, when, ideally someday, our country and world will have regained its sanity. That's why I continue the struggle.

[itmaybetoolate]

Excellent words. So, tell me, how do you continue the struggle? What struggle are you referring to? I really,really want to know. I have contacted congressmen and women, signed petitions, sent money, debated on this blog and others, tried to educate my family and friends who seem to be living in a haze, handed out copies of the Constitution on Constitution Day, posted statistics on the death rate in Iraq on my office door. I even stop talking to my brother who STILL supports bush.

Repeatedly, on this blog and others, I have suggested that we begin boycotting cable TV until bushie is impeached. Imagine if 50% of americans cut off their cable and said they would only reconnect once bush was impeached. Not once has anyone even commented on the idea. Maybe it wouldn't make a difference but I bet it would get someone's attention. But, not even that simple sacrifice would be tried.

Tell me how to struggle.

[snaggster]

Exactly. And, what isthe use in struggling if everyone is stuck in an either/or mentality. It's either GOP or Dem. They're both obviously rotten to the core.

[kindofblue]

Here's one thing that may help those of us who feel the same way.

Let's remember the awesome story of the founding of this country. How incredible, fantastic and inspiring are the events of the Revolutionary War and the writing of the Constitution. What profound concepts and what courage and what a leap of faith! This is the essence of America, and it is as good as it comes.

Our history is the irrefutable weapon against the authoritarians and bigots. Bush/Chene­y/Limbaugh­/Hannity are phony Americans-­Philistine­s for those of a biblical bent. For example, this is not a Christian country-the history is undisputable. Washington, Jefferson, et al, saw the totalitarianism of the Puritans and rejected it. To cross the separation of church/state is patently un-American.

The power of this dark moment is the realization that our history empowers us to transcend it. Our first step is realize that this where the counter-argument starts-a moral argument of the highest order, supported by the most fundamentally American icons possible.

[martinchill]

our founding fathers were rich white people, surrounded by indentured servants that were brought here, sometimes forcefully, to serve and take over this land from the natives.

they helped fight the british, too, and were heavily armed when the "democracy" was formed.



don't fool yourself. we live in a republic.

read:

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Democracy_America/Democratic_Facade.html

[clevelandchick]

Aleco said "Frank Rich's column in the NYT today is brilliant. His ability to express what most of us are thinking is amazing. Both you and Frank are right. Americans are too complacent. I blame our leaders and the MSM for not galvanizing public opinion against the Bush administration and it's destructive policies. Instead the MSM acts like neutral Switzerland or as a referee at a boxing match. The future of the U.S., if not the world, is at stake. These are life and death matters affecting everyone, not some esoteric subject matter for a debating society."

Aleco, read last month's Vanity Fair article called 'Going After Gore' and you'll see that Frank Rich (along with that insufferable Maureen Dowd) is actually an a-hole that played up all that made up media b.s. about Gore & the internet/love canal/love story during the 2000 campaign as much as any conservative.

To this day Rich still smears Al Gore with those lies and he would probably be the best candidate for president we could hope for.

Frank Rich wants it both ways, he wants to be liberal yet he wants to be invited on Imus and to the DC Cocktail Weenie Circuit Parties.

[skihigh2002]

Don't want to be the grammar police here... but proofread! Several instances of "I" are not capitalized and its JON Stewart.. not JOHN Stewart.

[Thorn]

Well, if you want to go there, you should read up on the difference between "its" and "it's."

[snaggster]

Ouch!

[GoodwithWood]

but U did go dare. how can dees pee-pole B credible if day a'nt got gwamur. i wish i wus mart lik U.

[nancytheragingliberal]

John Stewart is very entertaining.

[milani]

Mr. Rosenbaum, two things:
Thing 1: I don't know why people aren't more frightened by this horrible administration. My fear is why should they stop now? Just because its in the Constituti­on?...That hasn't stopped them before. Why not just stay in office, thumbing their noses at us. We haven't called them on the carpet for any of their other sins against our nation, why should they stop now? They are destroying our military and have their own Blackwater army to do their dirty work. Why should they stop? The American People seem to believe whatever King George says. Why should they stop?

Well that was my horrifying thought. Now on to Thing 2: If you're looking for REAL change, the kind of change that makes you PROUD to be an American again, the kind of America you thought we would always be, then look to John Edwards. His ideas are thoughtful, well-laid out, sensible and are for ALL Americans, not just the millionaires and lobbyists. He is our best hope.

Now I know you're probably thinking, if I think Thing 1 will happen, why am I bothering with Thing 2? Can't help it, I'm an eternal optimist, a realistic, wary, hopeful optimist.

[pesojoe]

A country led by stupid little people, only brave with others lives, can't be funny. But to keep from crying you need to laugh. Polititions are all the same, they don't live our life. Balancing our books, talking to some people that you would rather not, and using violence as a last option. Acting as a responsible adult.

[danalan]

The oil in Iraq alone could be worth as much as 30 Trillion dollars. Add Iran to that, and you're approaching 50 Trillion dollars.

So, even if we have to spend 5 or 10 Trillion dollars, we're still way ahead.

Don't laugh, that's the root calculation involved here.

[YellerDawg]

You're right, but it doesn't make me laugh. Rather, I weep.

[andvoodootoo]

How much are the human lives worth?

[loslobo]

Oil companies gonna give you a cut?

[omahapokerplayer]

So - on November 5th, when i've gone to the polls and voted for Hillary (probably)

Why vote for her if she doesn't share your values. My votew goes to the candidate who can say "Out of Iraq" the fastest. Right now, that's Richardson.

[jpginla]

Yes, a valid point. Unfortunately, though, Richardson's name will likely not be on the ballot on November 5th, 2008, so unless you write it in, you will not be able to vote for him. And what could be more meaningless at this point than a write-in protest vote against the eventual democratic nominee (whoever it is)?

Richardson has no legitimate shot at the nomination at this point, and it is far from clear, given his baggage and mediocre performance in the debates thus far, that even if he won the nomination that he would be elected. All of which is a shame, because I think he is a good guy and would make a fine president, personally. Any of ours vs. any of theirs, really, at this point; more true now than ever before.

[rabun666]

If it's BillHillary[Bill & Hillary], I'll abstain for what it's worth or write in someone. BillHillary's a Republican. She campaigned for Nixon in 1960, voted for him in 68, a Goldwater girl in 64 and president of the Wellesley Young Republican. The BillHillary's vowed to change the Democratic Party and have done so thru the DLC[Democratic Lemmings Council]. The Democratic Party is now a Branch of the Republican Party.

[AnotherunhappyDemocrat]

If Clinton is on the ballot, you could always vote Green.

[Pdubya]

I like Richardson, but I've checked his record and its inconistent. www.sopr.senate.gov

he also does not have the support needed to win.

not the case with Ron Paul, THE champion of the constitution.

www.ronpaul2008.com
www.dailypaul.com

former Dem for AMERICA for Dr. No.

[aleco]

Frank Rich's column in the NYT today is brilliant. His ability to express what most of us are thinking is amazing. Both you and Frank are right. Americans are too complacent. I blame our leaders and the MSM for not galvanizing public opinion against the Bush administration and it's destructive policies. Instead the MSM acts like neutral Switzerland or as a referee at a boxing match. The future of the U.S., if not the world, is at stake. These are life and death matters affecting everyone, not some esoteric subject matter for a debating society.

[bumpersticker]

I'm aware of two forces bringing on the gloom that many now feel.

The first is that our belief that "justice is entwined in the universe" is now looking silly. We have been wired by so many movies, books, and drama where good wins. We seem to be in another type of universe now where what Bush represents wins. We can feel our faith dying.

The second is a despair that we are addicts to our lifestyles and the oil that supports them. Deep down, part of us wants the oil that lies beneath the sands of Iraq and Iran, and we are ashamed of our corruption.

[JudyGee]

When FDR was in office, a fascist group conspired to assassinate the President and the New Deal, conspiring in a fascist takeover of the United States. It is well documented, with names and dates in Senate hearings, and it is a piece of our history. Their legacy is this group who waited forty years to install their first puppet in 1980. The actor Ronald Reagan. Since that day to this we have watched as our country is dismantled. Clinton, both of them, Obama are owned by the same corporate interests. The people's candidates, Kucinich, a good man, an accomplished man, is mocked as a buffoon by the totalitarian media, and Edwards, pushed aside beyond the margins, is hardly ever in the media, other than the target of smears. No one who fights the newly empowered fascist regime, wins. Holocaust survivors will tell you, and they have told us over and over, that it didn't happen all at once, just a bit at a time. And, then one day you awake and it is already too late. And, while we wait for the wax figures in their congressional coffins to do something, anything, we know we have lost. Deep in our hearts and minds, we know it is over. That is why we don't talk about it anymore. Like Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby, we suddenly realize, "this is no dream, this is really happening".

[rabun666]

JudyGee, I recommend the movie "Ship of Fools", the ship being a metaphor for this planet. It's about passengers on a cruise ship in the early 1930's. A question posed to a German Jew, "aren't you worried about going back to Germany with all that's happening to the Jews there", his reply "there are a million Jew is Germany. What are they going to do kill us all"?

[dustdevil]

The reason the FDR coup did not succeed is because
The Wall Street perpetrators approached the ever popular Major General Smedley Butler to supply the military backup. Butler, at the time, was becoming an anti-war activist. He later wrote "War is a Racket" which condemns all wars. Butler exposed their plan to Congress. The Senate hearings found that his accusations were true, but no one was ever held to account. Congress was bought and paid for by Wall Street in those days, too.

[rektruax]

I've found my HuffPo comrade!

JudyGee, you quite eloquently put forth what I've been saying for months now.

I've even gone so far as to suggest that if you've got the money or contacts, leave now. Or at least start the ball rolling. I've no respect for a pop star (movie, music, whatever) who's said in the last few years "I'm moving to (where ever)" and is still here. If the tables were turned, and I had their resources, you wouldn't be reading this for my family and I would have been gone.

I wonder now how bad things must get before other nations will consider the average Joe american for political asylum. Because I don't worship a god myth, I hoped I might have an out years ago when cunt-faces piece of shit father said he didn't consider atheist to be american citizens. That seemed hostile enough to get refugee status, but upon checking into it, it simply wasn't. Oddly enough you have to wait for an actual physical threat.

[Pdubya]

Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are friends and working colleagues. They agree on most issues, just not how to fund them.

Ron Paul is beating what Dennis Kucinich has not been able to: The Machine.

- mot youtube videos and hits
- 1,000 meet up groups, bottom up, not top down
- only increase in funding % from last quarter
- $5.1Millio­n, last Q, no debt, $40 avg
- Record examples position
- will get us out of Iraq
- will hold people accountable
- won all but one of the straw polls
- won all of the post debate polls
- has the highest # supporters of the military
(they swear to defend the constitution from enemies foreign AND domestic)

he is no longer reported as a fringe candidate, but rather "the dark horse" candidate.

he has a good chance, and his support base is growing exponentially. I could vote for the man, and will. He will clean house and reinstate the constitution, balance our budget and NOT put people engrossed in the welfare state out on the street.

www.ronpaul2008.com
www.dailypaul.com

former Dem for Ron Paul
any vote cast is not wasted