An open letter to Jon Stewart

[Melodybe]

Dear Jon,

First let me say, in all honesty, I would take a bullet for you. It would be all dramatic too, I would see the gun and would push you out of the way screaming, "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

As the mother of 2 toddlers, it is not something that I take lightly. I have no desire to die, but you are someone that I consider too important to lose. The world is a better place with you in it. You have been salvation for so many since Nov. of 2000. The honesty and humor of the Daily Show has been the only bright spot in what has otherwise been a very dark 5 years.

I love you. I loved you since I was 16 and I stayed up late on school nights just to watch you on Mtv. From the first time I randomly saw your stand up, I looked at you and knew that I would follow your career. On the last episode of the Jon Stewart Show, I cried when David Letterman complemented you and I laughed with you when Dave told his story about Paul Newman tricking out a volvo just for the hell of it.

Dave is one of my heroes too, and since he is one of the few comedians I've loved longer than you, I knew that he never does interviews. It was really cool of him to go on your show. I knew you were honored to have him there. I was so happy for you, even though your show was getting canceled, I knew having Dave there was a high point in your career and I was glad to share that moment with you.

I read your books, Naked Pictures of Famous People is brilliant. Vincent Vangough in the chat rooms is literally one of the funniest things I've ever come across. America the book is a classic, just the table of contents makes you laugh so hard your kidneys ache and you begin to worry about bladder control. Best history book I ever read, did make me worry about our eventual robot overlords though.

When I heard you were getting the Daily Show I was thrilled. Although I liked Craig Kilborn, I now had a reason to watch it every night. After the election in 2000, when everyone else on television was gushing over our "great new president" I could count on the Daily Show to point out the absurdity of it all. There was this one show, I can't remember the date it aired, but it was before 9/11. Right when Bush started pushing the first bits of his crazy right wing agenda, you looked at the camera and said, "We have to put up with 4 more years of this shit!" I wanted to kiss you through the television.

After 9/11, when you told us that you couldn't joke about Bush for while, I understood. You and the staff of the Daily Show walked that line perfectly, BTW. I cried with you when you talked about the view of the Statue of Liberty from your apartment window. And I thought your puppy as the moment of zen was just perfect. Without you I would have never have gotten through all that, I was 4 months pregnant with my first child at the time, I was an emotional wreck, but you helped me through it. Thanks.

With the election last year, you were great. The show was great. No one cuts through the BS like y'all. What can I say about Crossfire other than I was screaming with you. Those were my words too, you were speaking for me. So often in the last 5 years, I've felt like you were the one of the only ones with the courage to speak for me, for us, the debased and abused left.

The Daily Show is the best news on TV. It is simply the most important show on television. That's a lot of weight to be on your shoulders, I know, sorry about that.

OK, now for the hard part, I'm getting worried about you. Have you given up? Are you tired, too? Did the execs at Viacom get to you or worse did the fuckers in this administration threaten you? Has the smog in New York gotten so think that you can't see the Statue of Liberty anymore? Let us know, please. Things don't feel right lately and its bothering me. Did we let you down?

I want you to know that I've been working hard. I worked really hard last year to get Kerry elected, I'm working really hard now to get the truth out. I've argued, I've protested, I've organized, I registered over 200 voters on my own, I've done tables, I've had people sign petitions, I've written letters, I've spent money that my family and I don't have to help the cause. Some are out here fighting the good fight, I'm fighting the good fight everyday. I wouldn't have done any of it without someone like you to inspire me.

I'm worried now, maybe for nothing, hopefully for nothing. But the really brilliant and biting and bright shining moments on the Daily Show are getting fewer and farther between. Guest after shit head neocon guest has been waring thin with me. I turn to the Daily Show to get away from the poisonous lies that the media and this administration spew. My friends and I have long called the Daily Show 30 minutes of the red pill. Thirty minutes of the real world. Thirty minutes of sanity. But now...

I'm worried, losing you guys and the honesty you inject into the national consciousness, would break a very fragile and tired heart. Maybe I'm paranoid, hopefully I wrong. I pray that I'm wrong, but the magic just hasn't been there lately. Why oh why, have you been giving fascist assholes like Newt Gingrich, Tom Ridge, and Collin Powell yet another stage to spout their poison? I'm beginning to think horrible thoughts about the Daily Show just being a pacifier, the one thing that keeps us (the left) from starting all out revolution.

A big part me feels like maybe I am just being a judgmental righteous asshole, but in my own defense I've worked really hard for this cause, I've earned it. But then again, so have you, a thousand times over. Your contributions far outweigh mine, maybe that is why I hold you to such a high standard. You have been right, we've been right, about this administration from the very beginning, the war and their lies, and now is a great time to pounce. An ideal time to say again, what we've been saying all along, that they are murderers, thieves, and liars. It would make them weaker, it would help, but you're not saying it and I want to know why.

I hate writing this, but I have to, just for my ego, if anything. Losing CNN and the New York Times was hard, but losing some one like you would too much.

Well, take care Jon, sleep well, cause no matter what happens because of your work for the last 5 years, you'll go down in history as a hero. You'll always be my hero.

But then again, with or without you by my side, by our side, I not giving up, I'm still gonna fight. Cause as much as I love you, I love my husband and my family more. I love my country too much to let this tyranny of evil men destroy it.

Thanks anyway for the past 5 years.

So stay strong, stay honest, for us, for you, for my children and yours. We need you, we love you.

Sincerely yours,

Melody

-------------------------------

I think that we need to tell Jon to keep fighting the fight, he seems kinda tired lately.

[Pachamama]

1. Great letter Melody! I feel the same way!

I'm going to write Jon too.... :hug:

[Doomsayer13]

2. come on now

Jon's not a pundit, he's a comedian. His entire M.O. is that he's nice. Every now an then, we get a rare savaging of somebody like Wolf Blitzer, but I'm sure that was a result of some behind the scenes deal, not his attempt to promote some agenda. The instant Jon Stewart prioritizes promiting an agenda over making us laugh is the instant the show loses all its appeal.

[Melodybe]

3. Doesn't mean he doesn't need a kick in pants every once and while.

I get what you're saying, comedy show, funny, etc I understand that, doesn't change the fact the the Daily Show is the best and most important news show on TV.

Like Jon said on Crossfire, when Tucker asked if Jon talked to his friends like that, Jon said, if he thinks someone needs to hear it, he does.

Well, I think Jon needs it. I've been a fan of his for longer than anyone I know, so if I can find a way to send his a note like this I will.

[burythehatchet]

8. you should understand

that subtlety is a far more effective approach than confrontation. As another poster said, Jon simply hands them the rope for them to hang themselves.

[linazelle]

40. SEND IT....he needs to hear how you feel

I think TDS, like all shows, is a victim of it's own success. It's hard to knock the ball out of the park every show (look at Dave Chapelle's disappearance for example.)

Your letter made me nearly cry. I feel TDS has slipped a little bit, but not because of the conservative guests. I listened to Jon on AAR during the convention. The one thing he said is he basically believes you catch more flies with honey. He is a uniter and he's respected for that by both parties.

The one word, above his brilliance, that comes to mind when I think of him is civil. We are not THEM. He is not THEM. Ultimately, I think civility will win out over cutthroat nastiness in politics.

Just my two cents.

...but SEND THE LETTER! It's outstanding.

[ElectroPrincess]

5. "Jon's not a pundit, he's a comedian. His entire M.O. is that he's nice. "

Exactly! Even Jon's politeness did NOT mask Newt Gingrich's natural smarmy nature. In fact, the freepers can not claim that Jon was uncivil, yet Newt shined as the true horse's ass we know him to be.

Jon Stewart is an ENTERTAINER! Please know that and get off of his back? Albeit he has a conscious, he must also NOT completely piss off the far right.

I think it's hilarious to watch a right wing politician on his show. They suck so bad on their own. No extra quips needed.

Let Jon be an entertainer that empathizes with us. It's crazy and not feasible for us to expect him to "carry the democratic torch."

Dammit folks, I CONCUR he's a comedian NOT a pundit! Let him be.

[Spiffarino]

45. Wholeheartedly agree

I attended a live broadcast of the Stephanie Miller Show in Asheville this morning. Her show has a strong progressive message, but it's also highly entertaining and mostly light-hearted. That is as it should be.

Al Franken said something in his "Lies" book like, "We will beat them by being cuter, funnier, and smarter than they are." I think that is exactly the way to go. We spend far too much of our time trying to convince the majority that we are right. We do far too little to make our values, our message, understandable in ways most people can relate to.

Stewart, Franken, Stephanie Miller, Marc and Mark and the rest are doing what most of us can't. They are setting up the framework through which folks who don't get it can understand what progressive values really are.

[fooj]

4. Well, if that doesn't get to him- nothing will!

:patriot:

peace.

[Justice]

6. Heartfelt and Eloquent Letter

I remember a moment on his show a night or two before the 2004 election. He was joking and then he got all serious and said something directly into the camera - like (complete paraphrase b/c I forget exact words) = please, I am tired of doing this - people let's vote this guy out - I felt for him.

I also believe that one of his best "senses" is restraint. He may be holding back now so that he can build a crescendo into elections for next year. To pound away day after day as he did in 2004 and then see your guy lose is disheartening (we all know that) but he may be resting a bit before the next campaign.

[alpizzy]

7. I like it...

just a heads - up. I caught 2 errors.

I think you misspelled "wearing" as "waring".
"Guest after shit head neocon guest has been waring thin with me."

And you left out he word "be" in the sentence starting with "I hate..."
Should read "would be too much" at the end.

I'm not being critical I just thought you'd want to know.

[travisbailey]

51. always nice to know

always nice to know...

[IdaBriggs]

9. Kicked & Recommended. nt

[Bridget Burke]

10. Most Daily Show guests are promoting something.

A book, a movie, a TV show. It's not a matter of the show calling up cool people they'd like to feature, but of which "celebrities" are making the rounds. For one thing--the show could probably not afford it.

Have you heard of any liberal icons who begged to be on the show & were refused?

[Democrat 4 Ever]

13. I have come to Jon Stewart and TDS really late. I only discovered him

last summer - due to DU. I have become a huge fan and will not miss his show, TiVo just in case and "suffer" through the vacation weeks.

That said, like Melody, his show seems a little off. It is one neocon after another given a national stage to pretend they are relevant or truthful or have something significant to say. They are nothing but neocon shills that realize a huge part of the country think the GOP are assholes but an appearance on TDS automatically gives them some credibility they do not deserve. They think they will come off as hip, cool, funny, honest and decent. Kind of like whitewashing a really old barn - there is still rotten wood underneath.

Newt was like hearing fingernails on a blackboard or biting down on a piece of aluminum foil - irritating as hell. But we knew that, the man has never opened his mouth that he didn't whine/slime and chuckle his way through a smear.

But Colin Powell last night was beyond irritating it was sad and pathetic to see a "grand old" soldier still out lying for his former boss. I knew Powell would be loyal and true while he worked for Chimpy. But I honestly expected him to put the troops and the truth before party loyalty after he left the SOS office. Silly me. Nope, he is a true neocon, GOP, reichwing water boy for this administration whose only concern besides skewing the DSM information is buying his own baseball team. Wonder if Chimpy's friends are gonna help him out for a job well done? Their buddies have a history of buying baseball teams for their flunkies.

The neocons are hitting every show they can, in every venue they can find to try and counteract some of the really bad feelings Americans are finally realizing about this bunch. They know they have overreached and are just changing modus operandi. They are still working the crowd but in a more subtle and subversive way.

Jon did a decent job on both Newt and Colin but he can do much better. I've seen him. I know there is some kind of panache for booking such big names for the show but he shouldn't let them off the hook just because is is flattering they agreed to appear. Of course they want to be on one of the hottest show on TV. The neocons are using TDS and they need to be used right back. Don't let them use funny and unfunny antics and moronic answers to kill time (they are just looking for national face time - kinda like a Chimpy news conference - kill time, smirk, comment on nothing, be afraid, God Bless Murika, exit fast). TDS has the facts, now they need to use them. These tactics are hurting us (didn't someone say that on Crossfire one day?) and we need for someone to put a stop to it on the one show we know we can hear sanity through the BS.

While I still love the show, find it hysterical and entertaining and informative the neocon guests are not funny or entertaining or up to TDS's high standards. TDS has spoiled us and we expect so much more.

[bunny planet]

16. I love Jon Stewart too and I too have been watching only for about

a year. I wish he had challenged Colin more that's for sure, especially when he made the Clinton smear. That was too much to take, no matter how respectful Jon was trying to be of the former Secretary of State. I agree, CP used Jon's reputation for being nice and disrepected him by spewing lies and blatant spin on his show. He should NEVER be asked back and I think Jon should respond to his appearance with a short statement tonight. Also, no more bookings of right wing nutballs for awhile please Jon. It really does you and us a disservice.

[otohara]

35. Colin Was Promoting Propaganda

last night. It was quite obvious.

[Behind the Aegis]

61. He sure was

And he got called out on it on the "Al Franken Show" tonight! I think Jon being a polite person to the opponent shows class. I mean, really, would we get the same kind of respect if we sent one of our own on the Dennis Miller show?...if he still had one....LOL!!

[GiovanniC]

11. I Wish People Would Get Off Stewart's Case

He is not the left's own personal private dancing monkey, and it's unfair to hold him to some insane ideal of ideological purity.

Besides, which do you think is more helpful to the left... Jon sticking to the left-wing talking points, blacklisting Republicans from his show or shouting them down on a constant basis -- offending almost all Republicans and many middle-of-the-roaders -- or Jon speaking from a position where he is largely above the left-vs-right debate, rightly pointing out that the nonstop, vicious partisan attacks from both sides are hurting this country?

[SheepyMcSheepster]

12. agreed, john is doing fine

he and the other writers do what they can to expose this absurdity and still remain a comedy show.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

15. Respectfully disagree, Stewart gave Colin Powell a free pass

last night on the entire Chimp administration. We all know that Powell's advise was ignore and ridiculed while SOS. But he performed like a trained seal when sent to the UN. He honk his horns for his masters and then thought he was a musician.

Powell continue last night on TDS when he deliberately skew the DSM info. He was mouthing the party line that made no sense. Discounted the info by using a throw away line like "We were already talking." Do what? Stewart should have been on that in a heart beat.

That said, I am a huge Stewart fan but when he is handed the opportunity on a silver platter - comedy show or not - to ask some real questions in an interview, I think he should. You could tell Stewart was quite honored to have Powell but he walked the batter instead of pitching to him last night.

[Jane Austin]

36. I thought the Powell interview was the worst one I've ever seen Stewart do

He nodded and said "Right" after every Powell sentence.

No, I don't expect him to be my liberal monkey, but I have come to expect him to be funny and to challenge his guests, left or right.

He didn't do that last night.

He was just plain awed by Powell and Powell played him like a fiddle.

I hated seeing him get used like that.

[izzybeans]

77. you might watch it again and listen closely to the questions

He didn't start screaming and yelling when the BS started flying, but he kept the guy in his chair long enough to demonstrate that even this guy is a liar.

Two questions have been asked of the Bush admin of the DSM and one of them came from TDS.

the addage "if there is hope...it lies with the proles" is only true once they stop eating their own.

[bicentennial_baby]

17. Yes! Thank You!

"He is not the left's own personal private dancing monkey, and it's unfair to hold him to some insane ideal of ideological purity.'

:applause: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :applause:

[Protagoras]

59. Exactly! Just say no to MONKEYS!

He's his own man and doing things his way and quite well.

[Dorian Gray]

21. I agree, Giovanni...

And I'd like to add that I enjoy his show. Just as with any other show, if he's interviewing someone I don't like, I flip the channel. His show is not the Democratic/liberal handbook. He's allowed to interview whomever he wants to. He's allowed to court ratings from all population groups in the US and Canada. It's what a smart entertainer on television does.

I still like him and enjoy him when I watch.

[linazelle]

44. "nonstop vicious party attacks on both sides"....???

I don't see it that way. Where are Dems viciously attacking Cons--especially on a large scale?

I have a problem with this because newsreaders often brush aside serious issues from Dems with the "both sides" rhetoric.

The real viciousness (and lies, and greed and theft) are flowing from the right IMHO.

[GiovanniC]

74. I'm Referring to Shows Such as "Crossfire"

Wherein political discourse in this country has been reduced two a person from the right and a person from the left shouting back and forth at each other for a 12 minute segment, then going to commercial break having accomplished nothing save for antagonizing people.

The vast majority of the American population see the left-vs-right thing in this country as children fighting. And similarly, saying, "They all started it, they're the mean ones!" doesn't solve anything. I'm not saying they DIDN'T start it, and I'm not saying they AREN'T the mean ones. But the majority of Americans simply don't care. It annoys them. But Jon rises above that on his show.

So what if he doesn't tear a four-star general and former Secretary of State a new asshole on his cable television show? That's not his job.

[MisterP]

56. who said anything about "purity"? It's like "Castro"--a thought-terminatin

cliche

[GiovanniC]

73. Yeah, "Purity" As In,

If this comedian on a comedy show on Comedy Central does not essentially take a tire iron to his Republican guests, then he is just another corporate sellout shill who has abandoned our cause.

Or what the fuck ever.

It's not good enough that in the segment preceeding the Powell interview, Jon showed the massive Bush hypocrisy on his global warming stance. It's not good enough that he does more to help the left discredit the Bush administration night after night than many of our so-called Democratic leaders.

No, we demand perfection and will accept nothing less. And if Jon Stewart will not be a dancing monkey for the left, then fuck him with a rusty spoon, right?

Jesus.

[matcom]

14. ummmmm at the risk of getting flamed here

Jon Stewart is a COMEDIAN :eyes:

nothing more.

this is kind of rediculous (imho) and to treat him as some kind of savior is ummmmm REALLY rediculous.

[ArkDem]

18. Whatever do you mean? I'd happily give up my life and my

children's security for comedy.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

48. ummm...not for everyone

hahahaha.

you're too fucking funny.

[jonnyblitz]

26. yup. nt

[tavalon]

57. I thought so too

until the crossfire episode. Then I got that he's on our side.

But still, first and foremost, he is a comedian, albeit one of the best, but just a comedian.

[tx_dem41]

19. Jon Stewart is that comedian on that fake news show, right? n/t

[ernstbass]

34. yes FAKE news show -

He is an entertainer not a political pundit or operative!!

[tx_dem41]

38. Yes, you got my point.

Thanks.

[johnnie]

20. I didn't watch the show with Powell but..

From what I can see, too many people are taking this too hard. Who watched The Daily Show? My guess would be that most people are dems that know the truth. I don't think that a million "undecided" voters are tuning in to Jon's show and figuring out how they will vote in the future.
Stewart is a comedian and the show is entertainment. My guess would be that 99% of his viewers knows that Powell is full of shit and I bet that Stewart and his people know this too.
Your letter is fine, but I think you are putting too much responsibility on a comedian that has a show on Comedy Central.

[Melodybe]

22. They need to fire their booking agent

night after night of rightwing guests, it's getting old.

I love Jon Stewart, I've loved him for more than 10 years, I hated writing that, I haven't sent it to him yet, I might not ever send it.

The Daily Show has been one of the only bastions of honesty on TV in the last 5 years, having RW guest after RW guest diminishes that. I've gotten to the point where I am thrilled when just some dumb actor is on cause I atleast can watch the last ten minutes with out wanting to stab my eyes out.

[Dorian Gray]

23. I like Stewart and all

but perhaps you are taking this a little too seriously? He has a show on Comedy Central, for crying out loud. He wasn't meant to be the spokesperson for liberal politics. He does well with what he's got, but I don't think that we should be taking bullets for the guy.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

24. I empathize with you totally. This all started right after the elections.

When Jon didn't have the cojones to bring up the irregularities in Ohio I had a feeling that the tide was turning on his part.

Bo Bice was a breath of fresh air last week. You could tell he was a big fan of the show, and he put alot of peace signs out there.

BTW...If Stewart has Bill Kristol on one more time, that will be the last the time I watch.

[bicentennial_baby]

25. You'd take a bullet for a comedian

much less, one you don't personally know...that's sad.

[matcom]

27. hey i offered to throw my panties at him!

:D

[bicentennial_baby]

29. and I think you should...

Who wouldn't want a pair of Matcom (tm) panties?! I'd sell 'em for big bucks on Ebay, fer sure. :P

[DS1]

28. So... Did you actually send it to him, or just post it here and hope he

finds it?

[Melodybe]

30. No, I haven't sent it yet, I have his address, well the Daily Shows addres

and I posted it here so that people could proof read, agrue with me etc.

And yes I would take a bullet for Jon. The world is better place with him in it, I have no problem admitting that his contribution to history and the world is greater than mine.

I don't think it's sad, I wish someone like me had taken a bullet for John Lennon, or MLK, or RFK. To me personally Jon Stewart is in the same league, so yes I would proudly give my life for his.

[bicentennial_baby]

31. Are you serious?!

Jon Stewart=MLK? :wow:

[Melodybe]

32. To me personally, he is, but then again I am a long time fan of his

his contribution to the world is definately a great one.

I understand that I am in the minority on that one, but if taking a bullet for someone equates to how mush I love them, then yes I would say that my love for Jon Stewart=MLK.

Why do you think I'm so upset?

[EFerrari]

41. It might be a good thing to remember, Jon is a comedian

not a public servant. The progressive movement doesn't own him, he's an equal opportunity kidder.

If you really want him to read your letter, keep it under 500 words (or, expect him to stop reading just about at that point).

People do get really attached to entertainers they like, and that's cool. Especially when we really enjoy someone and follow their career, it's easy to fall into expecting them to go from being in performance relationship to us as an audience to something more personal.

Good luck. I hope you get the response you want.

[Jane Austin]

37. If you haven't sent it yet, check your spelling of "Colin".

n/t

[komplex]

47. Wow, You are on your way to being a stalker. n/t

[Melodybe]

54. Dude back off, that's retarded, Jon likes his privacy, I respect him

enough to give him that, he deserves it.

I don't love Jon in a sex way, it's not like that. I don't think he is my friend, I don't want to bug him to hang out with me or anything stupid like that.

Your post is offensive, and if you can't tell a difference in the Daily Show since the election you're blind.

But I can write one letter, that he may never read, that may get lost in the mail, or thrown in the trash, just for my own sanity, if anything.

So back off.

[komplex]

58. Well for now you respect his privacy, but for how long...

until you think the neo-con guest are a secret cry for help from Jon.

[Melodybe]

60. OK look person with like a hundred posts why don't you quit trying to

paint me as some crazy obsessed fan. I am sane, I am not a stalker nor would I ever be a stalker b/c that is a disgusting and despicable thing to do to someone.

It's not like that, name me ten totally liberal guests Jon has had on since Nov. There have been lots of episodes since Nov, and the liberal/conservative ratio is way off balance. That is actually my main argument to this entire thread.

If we were to lose the Daily Show to mediocrity it would suck.

So seriously back off, you don't know me, there is no inflection font on the key board connected to these anonymous internets.

Trying to call me a stalker is sooooo offensive, you seek to discredit me and my opinion with a straw man argument and I call BS.

Damn, yes I know Jon is a comedian, but he has been the real news for millions, it's a lot for him to deal with I'm sure. He never asked for it, it wasn't his job, but he took on the slack and that is what he became. If he were to go on tomorrow and say "all fluff for the next 4 years cause I need a fucking break", I would be sad, but damn I couldn't argue that he doesn't deserve it.

Look maybe I do contradict myself, so what, I said I was confused about what is going on with them.

I think that you owe me an apology, name calling is not how we do things around here.

I posted this here cause I KNEW people would disagree with me, someone always does. But I wanted to talk about it and here we are.

[DemonFighterLives]

33. Nice letter!

I can understand when someone gets addicted to a show, it is hard to watch it change. With this administration in power, we have witnessed many people knuckle under.

I like his show, but I really used to like Crossfire. I didn't like him flailing away on there. If he'd of been even slightly funny on there it may have played better. I loved him cutting dowm Tucker, but ever Bagala was taken aback by his mean attitude. Crossfire faded whem Michael Kinsley left. Inside Politics used to be another of my favorites, until Judy Woodruff bent over for the neocons. Wolf Blitzer used to be a little better too.
Michael Moore seemed to take a different tone after the elections. It is like you either play Neocon ball or you don't get to play.

Dean seems to be the only light not extinguished. ;)

[Melodybe]

39. That's it tonight's whorefest with Lauer made me want to barf

I'm sending my letter, I love Jon much not too.

[DemonFighterLives]

63. Please inform us of any reply!

Also, I didn't watch and no one here is talking about the Lauer thing, so could you tell what happened there? I can imagine after seeing Lauer whore on a few other interviews like with Michael Moore.

[REP]

42. That's Funny!

What a terrific parody! It really reads as though it was written by someone who doesn't get Jon Stewart, or notice the many subtle, gentlemanly barbs he gets in during his interviews on his comedy show on Comedy Central, and would prefer that he launch into the sort of screamfest he has been speaking out against in nearly every interview he's given for the past five years. It's also great how right the tone of the 'uninformed viewer' is, assuming that Jon Stewart agrees with and endorses a particular ideology and is its spokesman. Well done!

[Melodybe]

46. Give me a break why hasn't Dean been on yet, where are the liberal guests

to couter all this Rw spin, cause Jon sure hasn't been doing it lately.

Don't give me that shit that I don't get Jon Stewart, I get his joke I always have that's why I been one of his biggest fans since I was 16 years old.

[REP]

49. It WASN'T a Joke?

I am so sorry.

Your 'letter' contradicts the assertion you make above.

[bdot]

69. Maybe Dean hasn't asked to come on the show?

[LibertyorDeath]

43. WOW first that is a great heart felt letter honest to the core

and second thank you so much for writing this.

I've noticed it also


" being a judgmental righteous asshole," NO ! NO!

[travisbailey]

50. good point

good point

[Maat]

52. Great letter.

I feel the same way too - about the righwing guests.

I don't care what anyone says - progressives built the show viewership.

It was a refuge for progressives. He needs to get back to that.

I loved the first part of the show. But I could only take a few minutes of Powell. I had to turn it off and go over to Free Speech TV (the new refuge - until the rightwing finds it).

[Suich]

53. Couldn't agree with you more.

Send the letter.

Susan

[Initech]

55. Like I said in the other thread, go watch the Colin Powell interview.

He turned into full hardball mode. Really, he was asking some things that even Chris Matthews or Keith Olberman would hesitate to.

He'd make a great political commentator.

[jbnow]

62. I agree that he asked good questions

With some diplomacy or respect, but still pretty honest statements and questions we all share...
And it would have been great had Colin given real answers and not the continued spewing of the bush line.

John didn't challenge Colin on his pseudo answers, but probably it wasn't his place. The questions he asked were better then most interviewers on MSM have asked.

John impressed me, Colin disappointed me. I hoped he might have quit being a bush zombie by now.

[fooj]

65. Yep. I turned to my hubby about half way through and said

"Nope. He's still their whore." It made me sad. He didn't have to compromise his honor and integrity. He says that "he serves at the pleasure of the president." The way I see it he was obligated to "serve at the pleasure" of the people! We counted on him to keep them in their cages...I feel like he let us down.

What about this for a title? THE SELLING OF THE GENERAL'S SOUL...


:cry: :cry: The world has gone mad.


peace.

[Tommymac]

64. Send It. You are right...something has changed. /nt

[Maru Kitteh]

66. Me TOO Melody!

And I will add, John........ if you keep it up............ I'll.......I'll............ "You'll what; You'll what huh?".................. "I'll NOT LIKE YOU ANY MORE".......... O.K.

Seriously John.

[tuvor]

67. Why don't you write a similarly passionate letter to the news media...

...and explain to each of them that they're so terrible at the job they're supposed to do, that you're truly upset with the journalistic abilities of a glorified fucking court jester?

[Melodybe]

71. No way fuck them, Jon would get a hand written letter

on nice stationary, I want to stand in front of the CNN building and give them the finger with millions behind me, or hadn't you read my post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3742303

Still looking for folks to help...PM me

[lostnfound]

68. The part about 'taking a bullet'

The only people in the world worth 'taking a bullet' for are probably people who wouldn't want anyone to do so. Because any truly great person has a big dose of humility.

But I can understand why you wrote it. JS definitely adds a lot to people's lives, and if we keep going down the fascist path here, his dose of comic reality will feel even more like a lifeline.

Nice letter. Intense, yes, but nice.

Ignore the literalists. JS has his place, you have your place, MLK had his place. Only God can judge the worth of a man, whether in his impact or in his effort to overcome challenges. Like elements, pure oxygen is qualitatively very different from pure iron but we can probably imagine how both could kill you or both could save your life.

I think what you are trying to say to JS is "stay true to yourself" and "stay true to us".

[tuvor]

70. "Stay true to us"? He never claimed to be one of "us".

Just an entertainer.

LOL I remember last night he even admitted he'd probably do a lousy interview.

[Melodybe]

72. I want Jon to stay true to himself.

[izzybeans]

75. Are we referencing the Powell interview?

Probably the toughest questions the Bush admin. has ever faced from a reporter, and from a fake one.


It was not funny. Has anyone else asked about such things looking them straight in the face. If we want to say someone needs a kick in the pants its Powell for dancing away from tough questions and spreading the blame around.

[FlaGranny]

76. Lately, I've just been watching

the first half of the show and turning off the guests. I don't like to be aggravated.

[whosinpower]

78. It's a great letter

And I hope you get a personal reply.

At the end of the day, and all throughout Jon's career, he has constantly reminded us all that he is first and foremost - a comedian.

And the refreshing part of his schtick(?) is that he uses comedy and outrageousness to force America to take a hard look at itself.

But, after all this time, with Bushco and all its carrying on - it must get hard to see comedy in all the policies that are so power entrenched, so hypocritical, so painful to so many people....in short, it is getting harder and harder to find something funny to say.

It isn't funny anymore. I love Jon Stewart and have spent many evenings rubbing my tired eyes to stay awake just to see the Daily Show. And when he skewers the neocon guests - I shout out loud with pride - " YOU GO JON!" I love it when he does this.

But with all the death, violence, pain....it is getting harder and harder to laugh. Know what I mean? Laugh and then cry in despair and grief....

[ClayZ]

79. Great letter!

Maybe Jon has been playing golf with Dennis Miller?


:kick:

[bdot]

80. Just saw the Colin interview.

I just saw the interview (I taped it) and I didn't find anything wrong with it. They just had a civil conversation. I think the problem is that people are not used to civil conversations. They want people to fight about things.

He could have come out and just sat there attacking Colin but then he would be no better than Crossfire.

And for anyone that thought it was crappy, well John did come out at the start of the show and say he planned on doing a terrible job.

[Nightjock]

81. Dear Melodybe,

I am probably setting the record for longest time getting to 1,000 posts because I just swoop into DU about once a day (and look for any nugget that would give me hope that this facist regime might fall before 2008) but I don't always post something.

I see many long, drawn out threads and half the time I move on. But I read your letter from start to finish and I loved it. (except the "take a bullet part"). I wholeheartedly recommend you send it ...but take that part out.

The Daily Show OWES it's success to telling the truth AND making it funny. If he lets these reich wing liars infest the show -unchallenged- the folks at The Daily Show may be "Jumping the Shark."

(That's a term for when you know a show is on it's last legs. Like in the latter days of Happy days when Fonzie jumped a shark on his motorcycle.The show was basically dead after that ludicrous stunt)

Stewart is free to do whatever he wants on his show because it is not a REAL news show-it's entertainment.

We can't RELY on him. We can only appreciate the 30 minutes of sanity he gives many of us. Let's hope lame RW bullspit on TDS is a blip on the radar.

Otherwise he will pay for it in dwindling ratings. I already gave up watching the last 10 minutes. Please send the latter. It was terrific.