One reason why I think Colbert's speech was so important (Twain quote)

[deutsey]

"Will a day come when the race will detect the funniness of these juvenilities and laugh at them--and by laughing at them destroy them? For your race, in its poverty, has unquestionably one really effective weapon--laughter. Power, Money, Persuasion, Supplication, Persecution--these can lift at a colossal humbug,--push it a little-- crowd it a little--weaken it a little, century by century: but only Laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of Laughter nothing can stand."

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. What shamed the naked emporer in the story

was the laughter that ensued once the people's eyes were opened.

[The Blue Flower]

2. Excellent quote

But while we're laughing, this worst example of the species still has the nukular codes.

[Kurovski]

4. Can't let a little thing like possible bangety-bang annihilation stop us.

it means the terrorists win!

Twain himself had a life filled with deep sorrow.

[deutsey]

10. He said the source of humor is sorrow. "There is no humor in heaven"

If true, we certainly live in humorous times, don't we?

[Kurovski]

13. Once again, the world is engaged in another one of history's

great "comedy workshops".

Yes, quite intensive.

[Kurovski]

3. K&R. deutsey, I was just wondering yesterday where you've been.

I've somehow missed your posts for a time now.

I enjoy that quote. I'm a believer in laughter as a powerful commodity.

[deutsey]

11. As Mel Brooks said in "Blazing Saddles": "Workworkworkwork"

I've been overwhelmed at work these days, in addition to dealing with family health problems. I've had to lurk here as a result for the most part.

:hi:

[Kurovski]

14. Good wishes on a change for the better in the family health department.

Good to see you again!:-)

[bleever]

5. K&R. Excellent quote. nt

[immoderate]

6. So true!

--IMM

[SeattleGirl]

7. The use of laughter can be a very powerful weapon.

Yes, sometimes it can make someone even angrier, but sometimes, if you laugh long and hard enough at the "big bullies", you take the wind out of their sails, and take the fight right out of them, and expose them for the spineless weaklings they really are.

[ConsAreLiars]

8. Funny (as I saw it) or not (according to the Cons and their allies), one

thing is perfectly clear. It made Chimpy and the Imposters extremely uncomfortable. That alone elevates that pewformance to the realm of fine art.

(edit typos)

[Jigarotta]

15. a rally suggestion:

have a bigassed pic of *, building sized.

Gather about, point and laugh.

or do same whenever in a public place where hisnibs is pictured.

[WePurrsevere]

9. Twain has always been one of my favorites. Humor is an amazing tool....

and can be used for a variety of issues/reasons. If done right it can help in any relationship whether as partners, parents, neighbors or pet companions. :D Much like meditation it helps ease stress and can help you get through very difficult times. I believe it can even help you become healthier and even help save your life... it sure as heck helps make the quality better. B-)

Anyway... I love Twain and even use of of his quotes as part of my sig line. :) One of my favorite pieces by Mark Twain though is not humorous at all but sadly still appropriate especially with Bush rattling sabers at Iran. It's The War Prayer.

K... R... and...
Good Morning :hangover:

[deutsey]

12. "The Holocaust and Humor"

http://www.holocaust-trc.org/holocaust_humor.htm

Eventually, the Nazis closed all the cabarets. Many of the performers were sent to prison camps, where cabaret humor often reappeared. Even in Dachau, a play satirizing the Nazis was performed for six weeks in the summer of 1943. The lead character, Count Adolar, was a thinly disguised Hitler. The SS were seated at the front as "honored guests." Rudolf Kalmar, the writer of the play, survived the camp and became a popular actor in East Germany after the war. Another survivor, described the effect of this satire on the camp inmates: "Many of them, who sat behind the rows of the SS each night and laughed with a full heart, didn't experience the day of freedom. But most among them took from this demonstration strength to endure their situation. . . . They had the certainty, as they lay that night on their wooden bunks: We have done something that gives strength to our comrades. We have made the Nazis look ridiculous."

[Kurovski]

16. History is filled with examples of the power of humor and art.

It's exactly why right-wingers throughout history have had contempt for it, or try to control it through patronage.

Your example reminds me of something Mel Brooks said in the DVD of "The Producers".

I don't recall the exact quote, but it was along the lines of: from their perspective, the worst thing you can do to the powerfully evil is make fun of them.

Fear is what they want from you.

Repeatedly, here on DU, we can read comments of Colbert's courage, his "balls", and how enormous they are.:-)He could have taken the easy way out and it would have gotten him more laughs from the assembled crowd. he instead took the high road, not politeness and an unearned "respect" to the powerful, but the road to a higher art.

Bush's "self-deprecation" routine is actually contempt for us. He scorns those who believe deep intelligence should be required in a president. He mocks Americans who are "stuck" with him despite his vast inadequacy. We know he wants to be taken seriously as a "leader", his touchiness and irritability have revealed as much. He is carefully shielded from citizens who would challenge him.

But not on Saturday night, he weren't! Yee-haw!!

[Kurovski]

17. Mark Twain

[deutsey]

18. Twain wrote this parody of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" around 1900

Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored;
His lust is marching on.

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps --
His night is marching on.

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!"

We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;*
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on!

In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom – and for others' goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich –
Our god is marching on.

* NOTE: In Manila the Government has placed a certain industry under the protection of our flag. (M.T.)

[Kurovski]

19. A parody of American imperialism far more accurate

in what is going on today than, say, the wishfully wistful: "I'm Proud To Be An American"

And Twain wrote it one-hundred and five years ago.

"Where AT LEAST I know I'm free" --At least?