Jon Stewart's 10-30-10 March to Restore Sanity

[Anonymous]

Our whole family is going to the rally and we are inviting people from out of town to stay with us. I think this sends an important message to the politicians and the media - that the "silent majority" of Americans are sick of hearing the crazy few screaming about their BS ideologies all the time and wondering how they got on TV in the first place if not to try and crank up the ratings. We need to fix problems, not re-invent America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our whole family is going to the rally and we are inviting people from out of town to stay with us. I think this sends an important message to the politicians and the media - that the "silent majority" of Americans are sick of hearing the crazy few screaming about their BS ideologies all the time and wondering how they got on TV in the first place if not to try and crank up the ratings. We need to fix problems, not re-invent America.

And Jon Stewart is your spokesperson???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our whole family is going to the rally and we are inviting people from out of town to stay with us. I think this sends an important message to the politicians and the media - that the "silent majority" of Americans are sick of hearing the crazy few screaming about their BS ideologies all the time and wondering how they got on TV in the first place if not to try and crank up the ratings. We need to fix problems, not re-invent America.

And Jon Stewart is your spokesperson???

YES!! If he can break through the media clutter and make sure this critically important message is heard, I'm happy to support him any way I can. Personally, I don't believe you have to be an elected politician or a PhD to be correct and have influence on issues of politics and policy.

To me Jon Stewart is just a vehicle - it's really about the message. And I'm guessing he'll have other, more traditional speakers with him on 10/30. But even if it's just him -- a one man show -- I'm on board because I believe in what he's saying, even if its also partially entertainment and theatre. (Then again, isn't all politics in part that way?)

[Anonymous]

I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

Are you that person from the other thread that enjoys the stick up your ass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

Well, the interesting thing is that he KEEPS TELLING PEOPLE THIS AND NOBODY LISTENS. He doesn't call himself a journalist. He's doing what he admits is Fake News. I'm not sure he should be held to this standard. Of course I think Glenn Beck should also not be held to this standard. He's a loudmouth pundit.

As for the "east coast elite" comment. I don't see how you can criticize someone for mockery, while resorting to name-calling in the same paragraph. Either you choose a critique based on substance and judge others accordingly, or you use their tactics in which case you should call them your equal.

[Anonymous]

Another expectant mom waiting on the baby's arrival who would normally be there with bells on (and who loves the Lebowski-themed sign idea) but will probably be home with a 1-month-old while her husband goes down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

If you watched the show, you would know that he does talk to the "other side". His overtures are often rebuffed, because the Becks of the world know that he'll make them look like the uninformed, misinforming, fearmongering asses they are.

[Anonymous]

He only mocks their hypocrisy. And he holds people to their stated words... again and again. Actually he is very critical of Fox "nes" and other "news" media -- and rightfully so.

[Anonymous]

Jon Stewart's best moment

http://gawker.com/5164708/jon-stewarts-epic-cnbc-rant-best-moments

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

See, I think the same of Glenn Beck and other such right wing demagogues. They are smug, not very intelligent and hypocrites to boot. I am embarrassed for people who listen to them and adopt their truths as gospel. Further, that you have characterized those who would attend this rally as one monolithic group ("hip and ironic" elites) shows how little you know. You are one of those that simply parrots what what you hear on Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc. THAT is what is sad.

Stewart is no less an appropriate vehicle for a political voice than any of the "journalists" or "politicians" that you listen to

[Anonymous]

I'm going. This will be a memorable Halloween weekend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find Stewart to be unbearably smug and his "analysis" of current events is just glib potshots. He's a fucking entertainer, but people take him seriously because he presents the viewpoint that liberal ideas are so obviously right, and anyone who doesn't think so is just hilariously stupid. It is a nasty shtick, and pretty fatal to reasoned discourse. (Don't talk with the other side - they are stupid! Just mock them, you clever elite liberal you!) I won't attend the rally, because square that I am, I believe that a rally to show how hip and ironic you are, and to mock your political opponents, is just sad. It really underscores why so many people in other parts of the country find the "east coast elite" to be incredibly obnoxious. Its embarassing that people will attend this, but are too lazy to gather and support a genuine protest of any political stripe.

See, I think the same of Glenn Beck and other such right wing demagogues. They are smug, not very intelligent and hypocrites to boot. I am embarrassed for people who listen to them and adopt their truths as gospel. Further, that you have characterized those who would attend this rally as one monolithic group ("hip and ironic" elites) shows how little you know. You are one of those that simply parrots what what you hear on Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc. THAT is what is sad.

Stewart is no less an appropriate vehicle for a political voice than any of the "journalists" or "politicians" that you listen to

How exactly do you know who I listen to? Did I quote Rush Limbaugh by accident? As a woman who has sex with women, I doubt I would be welcome at a Glenn Beck rally, and I find Limbaugh to be a blowhard. And if you were a little better at reading comprehension (maybe you are not so elite) you would understand that a. I didn't say that people attending the rally were east coast elites (don't worry I'm sure there will be plenty of non-elite people from all over present) and b. The quotes indicate that I don't actually believe this is a real group, but that the divisive condescension that Stewart traffics in leads conservatives in the rest of the country to feel like wealthy coastal liberals, like Stewart, simply dismiss everyone who disagrees with them as stupid, redneck nutjobs. Which IMO, is unfortunate as it kills reasoned discourse. And I realize I'm being sarcastic and condescending with you, but you just extrapolated from my opinion of Stewart that I'm a fan of far right pundits, which is really obnoxious. And as for my characterization of the rally attendees as "hip and ironic" I will cop to assuming that people who are going are generally going to skew young and "hip" in comparison to your average dc rally, and yes I assume most people will be attending ironically, unless of course you believe that Stewart and Colbert are sincerely having competing rallies, and that Stewart is not doing this for entertainment purposes. And if you believe that this is a non-ironic event please explain to me what the non-ironic message is - Right wingers are idiots, perhaps (because by extremists you do mean people on the right, right?) Or all politicians suck? And yes I hope that people are not seriously rallying around messages like that.

[Anonymous]

I believe the message, according to Jon Stewart, is that we are not on the extreme end of either right or left. We are tired of all the air time and sound bites being devoted to the extreme views. We are the moderate majority and would like to get politics back to a normal discussion.

You should watch him explain all of this. I'm sure it is available on thedailyshow.com. His announcement was preceeded by clips of extreme right and left views on the news.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 1:42. You've eloquently explained why I feel uncomfortable about this whole thing, and why I haven't e-mailed my cousin who's asked to stay with us during the rally. It is sad that entertainers can draw out more people than politicians to "political" rallies. The blurring of the lines between entertainment and supposedly rational discourse is disturbing. Although I suppose I'd rather have Jon Stewart elected president than Palin or O'Connell. How about Lady Gaga for Attorney General?