It seems more a relief than anything else. I am overcome with a strange unfamiliarity (I am not a U.S Citizen) and uneasiness with the USA that this new era heralds in. A humbler, battered down America that doesn’t look arrogant, ignorant or unnecessarily hawkish (potent combination), with a long road to recovery, and almost inspirational once again. Is change that easy? Obama does seem to have a lot on his plate even before he gets inaugarated, and as Biden puts it bluntly, he will be tested. I can’t wait to see something test his mettle.
Delaying the broadcast of thw World Series? Campaign Ad stretching 30-min in length?
Is it bordering on prima donna-like behavior? It seems to ride on the presumption that such an inconvenience would be more than accommodated by the audience. The well-scripted, montaged, edited infomercial did not add to more of what we are used to – slick, scripted campaigning. Some saw Hillary’s possible turning point when she went off script. There has yet to be a moment for Obama. But if I had to choose between one who, mostly, stays on script and one who doesn’t, I’d go with consistency.
Here’s a parody of the infomercial, at least what they imagined it to be given Obama’s already gaping lead.
Jon Stewart is mad. Here, and on the Daily Show, he launches a diatribe against Sarah Palin’s divisive characterisation of ‘real americans’, ‘pro-america americans’ that exist in some magical backwaters – thereby implying east-coast, cosmopolitan, liberal intellectuals are somehow less hardworking or patriotic.
Its Psychology 101 that such characterisations aims to draw boundaries between the in vs out group, thereby drawing out, and solidifying the Republican base. The legitimacy of tactic – questionable. But the liberal media as certainly interpreted it in the worst meaning possible. So New Yorkers aren’t American enough for some, but enough for Al Qaeda? Certainly Stewart’s favourite argument, and packs a dramatic punch.
I think the group Palin is appealing to:
idealise themselves as part of such a group – more than are part of such a group
are bitter about disparities – pre-drawn battlelines?
Generally people are diverse – forcing a distinction between 2 tribes are essentially forcing nearly 60% – 80% of people to choose a side they don’t completely believe in (think about a bell curve), which generate unnecessary antagonism.
But nuff said – here are some clips about this issue.
Sarah Palin finally arrived at SNL. Pity there was no real interaction with Tina Fey, wonder if it’s because of political differences – Fey did mention ’she’s done’ if Palin entered the White House, and SNL has always been left-leaning (as Fey/Palin said ‘liberal right wing’ media). One great thing about her is she seems much less uptight than McCain, Obama or Hilary in their SNL cameos – maybe its an age thing.
And I loved the multiple references that not everyone will get – the Mark Wahlberg talks to animals, Alec Baldwin-Tina Fey-30 Rock stuff, and how Alec Baldwin is one of the more popular guest hosts at SNL. But enough of the talking, here are the highlights:
I love how politicians are game for little skits on Saturday Night Live. Here’s a overly optimistic fantasy sequence from the ‘Al Gore Administration’ – overly optimistic it maybe, but a toned version could very well be true, funny how it could all be different. However, while the Iraq war could have been avoided and environmental issues could have been addressed, I doubt it would have done much to stop the sub prime and subsequent financial crisis since the some policies of the Clinton era were blamed for setting the collapse of Fannie and Freddie….. Funny anyways, and makes you yearn a little
This is one of my favourite segments from the Colber Report, where Stephen Colbert engages himself in a debate on the issue of the day. And he sums it all up quite well. In this piece, watch how Colbert struggles with himself to allow the bailout of the banks – and the hilarious description of how it all came to be.
And this is one of my favourite pieces of Formidable Opponent – it highlights how Guantanamo actually may create the very people it is hunting for even if they were initially innocent. No one is innocent after living through torture and humiliation…
ah..the power of demographical analysis. It seems from nightmare that was florida, political analysts have whittled down the deciding factor to a strange demographic – elderly jews! Wonder if its just for comedic effect.
Here – Sarah Silverman and The Daily Show tackle this issue.
A bit late, but hopefully its still fresh in your mind. While VP debate was hardly a game-changer, it was excellent fodder for comedy. Gaffe-avoidance was high on both candidates’ agenda, and ultimately both kept it safe – boring stuff. Palin provided the most material, what with her folksy language, cheeky winks, and her tangential and at times irrelevant arguments.
Here is a debate flowchart that popped up:
And here’s Tina Fey and Joe Sudeikis(another funnyman) re-enactment of the debate – and props to Queen Latifah for an excellent impression of Gwen Ifil.
Watch out for how ‘Palin’ blatantly (and politely) avoids a question she cannot answer.
From the very beginnings Obama has been maintaining a slightly ‘holier-than-thou’ disposition, staying out of the drama generated by the race. McCain, on the other hand got his hands dirty (arms, shoulders, knees too….) trying to sling mud at his opponent.
While I do not condone McCain’s behaviour, I sometimes wonder if Obama is too ‘hands off’. The word professorial, cerebral and elitist have been thrown around more than once. In mud-slinging situations it’ll be great to stay above the fray, but the recent financial crisis and the whole presidential-debate-vs-negotiations-at-the-hill issue seemed a tad too pertinent for any hint of being ‘hands off’. While McCain’s 1 or 2 phone calls seem laughably undeserving of a campaign suspension, at least it contrasts nicely with Obama’s seemingly steady and calm stance. But if one is only watching the fire, it isn’t hard to remain calm. The ‘cool customer’ has not truly been tested, and perhaps he missed a great chance – or avoided a calamity, by staying so far above the fray.
Will he crack or thrive during crunch times? I think his strategists want Americans to know the answer AFTER he wins.
Analyzing humor and satire is bordering on overkill, but sometimes they make a point. And when they do, we have to stop and listen to the message, all the while laughing.
