Do you know any people who are obviously liberal, but are in denial of

[jsamuel]

having any responsibility because they think not liking Dems or Repubs means it is ok to sit on their buts and not do anything to improve either party?


I love John Stewart, but he thinks both Dems and Repubs are nuts. He definitely is liberal, but doesn't really do anything to improve either party. The jokes are funny, but at some point, don't the laughs only go so far?

I kinda feel the same way about my brother. He is obviously liberal and "would have voted for Nader if he had voted in 2000." (We both didn't vote in 2000 and were in Florida, but I would have voted for Gore. I know, I know, trust me, that is why I am here. I have a lot to make up for.) However, he thinks Dems are nuts and hates Repubs. He loves McCain though and doesn't really like any Dems. I think that last thing is all because he doesn't really inform himself on politics. He thinks that politics is nasty and bad in general, but instead of trying to make it better, he just ends up ignoring it.

Is there a way to get these people to wake up and make them realize that by walking the line they are making both sides worse?


(PS - Really not trying to hurt or attack John Stewart, I just thought I would bring it up for discussion. No hard feelings. I watch him and Colbert every night. I just saw a similarity between his attitude on the show last night and my brother's attitude.)

[arcane1]

1. disconnect his cable tv

cut the wires, whatever it takes

tv is one of AMerica's biggest problems... all other problems stem directly from its lies

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Yes, I do.

About half of these people -- click here.

--p!

[LittleClarkie]

3. Sort of like when John Stewart brought up Chappaquiddick

or repeated that John Kerry was boring.

I don't even find that stuff funny. It's lazy is what it is. If he's gonna rag on Dems, the least he could do is come up with new materia, rather than the obvious joke.

We'll have to start calling him rim shot otherwise.

[NanceGreggs]

4. To be fair ...

... Jon Stewart is NOT a politician, nor a spokesperson for the Democratic party. He is an entertainer and a satirist -- a role he plays exceedingly well.

I understand what you're saying; I just think you're directing your comments to (or about) the wrong person.

[jsamuel]

7. I really am not trying to hurt John Stewart, I just see a similarity betwe

en his attitude and my brother's.

I am not really saying anything about his performance, but about his person. He didn't go on "Crossfire" because he wanted to be their monkey. He went because he saw that their show was hurting us. I am just trying to point out a problem I see that he may be contributing to.

Watch him every night and Colbert afterwords.

[NanceGreggs]

13. I have watched Jon Stewart every night ...

... since he's been on the air. Literally, I have NEVER missed a single episode.

I only fault him when his pieces aren't funny - because I watch his show to be entertained, not as my news source.

Someone like Michael Moore has always declared that his raison d'etre is shining a spotlight on what's wrong in this country, and he often uses humour as a way to get his point across.

But Jon Stewart has never held himself out as being a spokesperson for any party, person or ideology. Yes, he's a liberal and expresses his own opinions about things - but that's NOT what the show is about, and it's not what he's about.

[jackpan1260]

5. At the rate we are going, the draft will be reinstated and then

everyone will be interested in voting again.

[upi402]

6. I know one, smart, kind -but watches Faux News!?!?

WTF?

[seabeyond]

8. we even have a liberal in jon and again, nothing for the dems.

watched last nite his ridicule of the dems standing up to corruption in unison and he dissed 'em. when they are united speaking out he says the are say nothing do nothing, yet everytime they have spoken out, he has taken 10 sec out of whatever for a joke. kerry once. and then last night with dem news conference

i have a brother that everything about him is liberal. he will sit there and whine about govt not helping the poor people that need help then say i am a repug. it is the party of the macho man. appearance is everything to him. all about being a manly man, and not a girlie man.

on edit: most of my repug friends are really democrats, yet wouldnt dare be a part of the party or vote dem.

[hyphenate]

9. I think you are wrong about Jon Stewart

After having listened to him when we went to the taping three weeks or so ago, I know that there is no mistake that he is a liberal. However, as he is a paid entertainer, what he says off camera and what he says on camera are too different things. He can't attack the right nor can he attack the left as a comedian in a way that would harm his standing on TV; some people forget that TDS is ENTERTAINMENT, not NEWS. Taking jabs at people on both sides provides TDS with income, and with the ability to stay on the air.

Stewart is really quite aware of what he can and cannot get away with on-air. He's been doing it for many years, and has to abide by some rules and regulations to the extent that he must bite his tongue on occasions even when his brain might be screaming to tell everyone off.

The quickest way to give yourself a sense of the "true" Jon Stewart is to watch the clip of Crossfire (whereever a copy might be--it's almost 100MB clip) and you will see a more earnest side that is just not allowed to show up when the venue is entertainment and not a serious discussion.

[jsamuel]

11. hehe, already mentioned that, see post 7

[hyphenate]

21. That's what happens when you read

the initial post, and respond before reading the replies! :)

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. Give Jon a break --

no matter his personal views, he does have to consider the possibility of being cancelled - look what happened to Bill Maher. He can say anything he wants, but he's on a premium pay channel which really limits his audience. At least Stewart is still available to the masses on basic cable.

[Niche]

12. Umm, John Stewart is a comedian...

Umm, people only change when it hurts too much not to.

I would suggest stop looking at sides and think about the effects of your apathy.

[Dogmudgeon]

14. 2 Hip 2 B Political

It's the Nader -- Counterpunch -- Hip Urban Political Tourist syndrome.

When you're too Hip to like either party, it gets you off the hook for a great multitude of sins. Hipsters think that they'll get a medal for their superior intelligence and a bumper sticker that reads "Don't Blame Me -- I Sat On My Ass And Bitched". Many of them also get the opportunity to ridicule people who get involved in social change, which further depresses the turnout.

The "explanation" is usually along the lines of, "I never left the Democrat (sic) Party, they Democrat Party left ME." There are also declarations that the politicians will have to earn the Hipster's vote. And, finally, since there is no chance of staging a completely pacifist social revolution that also gets the Hipster dates on Saturday nights, there is no need for involvement. Not voting becomes a "principled" activity. The Hipster isn't copping out; he's punishing the bad political system with his non-action.

Then, when real trouble gets into the White House -- for instance, a George W. Bush -- the Hipster complains again, about how all those people are "sheeple". Not like the highly independent and conscientious Hipster!

But, if you think that Hipsters are liberal or progressive, you'd be wrong. I will explain.

As funny as I find South Park, it is a totally reactionary TV program. Matt Stone (the one who looks like a young Tom Selleck) was recently quoted as saying, "I hate conservatives, but I fuckin' hate liberals!" Since the show ridicules all political action, most people who watch it will absorb the not-so-subtle "lesson" -- caring about one's world is for suckers. Just make sure to keep South Park high in the ratings.

Cynicism is IN, and commitment is OUT, baby.

How do I know this so well?

Been there. Done that. Learned all the Hip things to say.

In other words, once upon a time, I was the same kind of gutless, preening, smug, elitist jackass.

--p!

[jsamuel]

15. thanks for the insight, hope more people have some

because if we expect to win 2006 and 2008, we better figure these people out and get them on our side for their own sake...

[cynatnite]

16. Jon Stewart brings out a lot more truth than most

I think that in itself does more of a service to Americans than anything else.

Besides, he's a comedian.

[Johonny]

17. The answer to this is yes

It's amazing the number of conservatives that describe the republican party as they see it. But when doing so are actually describing the views of liberals and Democrats. At the same time when they talk about why they hate liberals or can't vote for Democrats they describe views that actually originate with Republicans and are then spread by the disinformation network as strawmen. Most conservatives have no actual idea of what Republicans really do vote for and what their views REALLY are. It's weird how many conservative voters vote based on strawmen examples and ignore the actual real life world around them.

[jsamuel]

18. thanks for the insight

hmmm...

[Armstead]

19. Lotta people lik that

My brother is a classic liberal-leaning moderate, who has become totally cynical. He hates Bush and the Republicans. But he feels like the Democrats are really lame and not an alternative.

We've had many arguments about it.

[jsamuel]

20. exactly, has anything gotten through to him?

[Armstead]

24. Nope

He'll vote Democratic, but not very enthusiasticlly.

[katty]

22. know quite a few-believe bush will just 'fade away' - huh??!

i wish, in your dreams!

[TallahasseeGrannie]

23. Well, I'm kind of that way my self

I do many things to improve life for others, but I don't do that much politically. DU is pretty much it for me.

I am rather pragmatic about politicians in general. I don't trust but one or two of them (say, maybe Al Gore and...oh, I really can't think of another one!)

Politics to me is a necessary evil and it draws maggots like a flesh wound.