Jon Stewart really struck a chord last night, didn't he?

[no limit]

Jon Stewart pointed out that despite Obama promising to have the most transparent government in history during his last campaign once Obama got in to office he prosecuted more whistle blowers than any administration in the past 40 years. He pointed out that when Obama's administration officials meet with lobbyists they do so across the street from the white house so they don't have to disclose the meetings. And he pointed out how absurd it is that the Obama administration censored over 200 emails that have to do with their efforts to make their administration more transparent (seriously).

But from reading some of the posts here today apparently the problem isn't that Obama is doing this. The problem is that Jon Stewart had the nerve to point it out. How fucking insane is that?

Edit: You can watch the video here - http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-april-4-2011/victory-lapse---obama-transparency-award?xrs=share_copy

[robcon]

1. It was one of Stewart's best shows.

Showed the hypocrisy of the administration.

[dflprincess]

184. Not entirely hypocritical

As I recall Obama did say there would be fewer lobbyists in the White House, he just failed to mention they'd all be across the street.

There are probably some on this board that would argue this is another promise kept. :sarcasm:

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

2. Stewart is a comedian. Nothing more. He should not be taken seriously.

[no limit]

3. What a load of bullshit and thank you for proving my point. What did Stewart say that was incorrect?

[Whisp]

19. so is he a comedian or a fact dispenser?

do we all take him seriously all the time or just laugh at him possibly making stuff up because he can.

when Jon is criticized there are reactions that span from. hey he's only a comedian all the way to 'he represents what our dead media should be'.

I wonder what Jon think she is, and which days of the week he practices with what costume.

[no limit]

22. Was what he said last night true or not?

What examples do you have of him making stuff up?

This slime that you and others here spew just because Stewart has the nerve to legitimately criticize Obama is disgusting.

[Whisp]

29. poor Jonny! I'm sure he can take it tho.

as I said earlier I cant' watch him anymore.

so, instead of me proving that he is 'lieing' or just making shit up for laughs

can you give me some kind of references supporting what he Did say that you think is honest criticism?
one would be that 'secret meeting' that was held outside the WH. what are the sources, who reported it, etc., and who is repeating this without having those sources handy - but just doing the whisper game

[no limit]

37. You can watch the video and everything is referenced by Jon Stewart

you choosing to be arrogant is not an excuse. Stewart shows a screen cap of the article each time he made one of his claims.

Also, you don't think it's a bit ironic you responded to this thread in such a negative way without even knowing what was said?

[Name removed]

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[Hell Hath No Fury]

56. So you are coming to a conclusion about -

and commenting on something you have not seen? Seriously?

[Rainforestgoddess]

160. it's quite common

that people in one country can't view video on a network from a different country (ABC, NBC, BBC etc) but I bet the same would be true for you trying to view content on a Canadian channel or on the BBC.

I get John Stewart on the comedy channel in Canada. Here's the link - see if it works for you. http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/#clip444012

I think it is for one basic reason. People in other countries aren't paying for the advertising, and therefore if people around the world could access it, it would be a huge bandwidth hog from non consumers. I worded that terribly, but you probably get the gist.

[City Lights]

63. Here's a NYTimes story from last year:

Across From White House, Coffee With Lobbyists

By ERIC LICHTBLAU
Published: June 24, 2010

WASHINGTON — There are no Secret Service agents posted next to the barista and no presidential seal on the ceiling, but the Caribou Coffee across the street from the White House has become a favorite meeting spot to conduct Obama administration business.

Here at the Caribou on Pennsylvania Avenue, and a few other nearby coffee shops, White House officials have met hundreds of times over the last 18 months with prominent K Street lobbyists — members of the same industry that President Obama has derided for what he calls its “outsized influence” in the capital.

On the agenda over espressos and lattes, according to more than a dozen lobbyists and political operatives who have taken part in the sessions, have been front-burner issues like Wall Street regulation, health care rules, federal stimulus money, energy policy and climate control — and their impact on the lobbyists’ corporate clients.

But because the discussions are not taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, they are not subject to disclosure on the visitors’ log that the White House releases as part of its pledge to be the “most transparent presidential administration in history.”

The off-site meetings, lobbyists say, reveal a disconnect between the Obama administration’s public rhetoric — with Mr. Obama himself frequently thrashing big industries’ “battalions” of lobbyists as enemies of reform — and the administration’s continuing, private dealings with them.

more... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/us/politics/25caribou.html?_r=1

[Whisp]

69. thanks for the link. but 'Rich Gold'? that's a real person?

lol. a demo lobbyist

sorry, I got to laughing at that and forgot the question.

[crim son]

149. You do understand that Stewart's show wouldn't be funny if he just made stuff up. Right?

Some people just don't get that kind of humor but I can assure you he wouldn't work as a comedian if he were also a liar. Sort of shaking my head over here that this truth eludes you.

[Name removed]

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[roguevalley]

126. meeting with lobbyists off campus so to speak has been known

for a long time. catch up.

[femrap]

153. I guess I'm one of those

who needed to catch up. He goes across the street to meet lobbyists? Is there a tunnel or something? Or does he have his entourage drive him there?

Eisenhower is considered a radical Leftist in today's political milieu. And Nixon is a Teddy Bear.

It's all just a Circus and lots of us are running out of Bread.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

233. Deleted message

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[Aerows]

57. You aren't going to gain much ground with the...

"Go Dems, Go!" crowd. You will be shunned for not supporting Obama despite the fact that he is not standing up for his Democratic constituents. Will I vote for him? Probably, but I have zero enthusiasm - it's a hold your nose type of situation.

[WhiteTara]

98. Jon Stewart doesn't make any of this up,

he doesn't need to; the truth is beyond bizarre.

[roguevalley]

125. you imply he lies without facts and you dismiss him as a clown.

interesting.

[on point]

140. In times of repression satire is often the BEST truth teller! (ie he is both)

[defendandprotect]

206. +1000% -- comedy is a powerful political weapon -- and much feared!!

[fishwax]

146. the two aren't mutually exclusive

as it happens, he's both.

[rhett o rick]

190. Are you an idiot or a Republican? nm

[AlbertCat]

214. so is he a comedian or a fact dispenser?

These are mutually exclusive???

Please explain how that is.

The definition of "comedian" is not "one who lies"

( that would be the definition of "republican")

Fox News looks just like a news channel! Are they a "fact dispenser"?

[tcaudilllg]

237. Most of us get it fine.

He's a harmonizer personality. Read Gulenko. Harmonizers are light hearted folk, but biting social commentarians.

Yes, he's serious. He's probably conducting his act in such manner (with assistance) as to obscure his true stance relative to people, like you, who insist on a clearly drawn line (let alone correlations of role with behavior, not smart). But his negativist values are showing through.

[liberalmike27]

244. He Makes Up Jokes and Bits

Usually to point out irony and hypocrisy. He's done a few things I don't like, the false equivalence between the left on the right on television and radio, for instance. But lately, on Obama, he's spot-on.

Obama needs to address the problem going into the election. He doesn't have the time or luxury of waiting for 2013, or he's liable to not get there. He really needs to excite the base, yet he keeps doing republican things, not fighting for the middle class, not suggesting the obvious tax increases on wealth.

[truedelphi]

183. Thanks for posting this. I missed the first ten mins of last

Night's show and now I'll check out the pertinent sections I missed.

And thanks for dealing with those who can be a bit obnoxious. Although it is true that sometimes Stewart is just into his comments for a laugh, at other times he rivals a Cronkite or a Murrow.

Those who are not able to discern which moment is which are telling us more abut their IQ and perception abilities than about Stewart himself.

[bigwillq]

5. But are his facts right or wrong?

:shrug:

[Occulus]

11. Were his statements factually correct or were they not? n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

14. Oops, too late....

Under host Jon Stewart, The Daily Show has risen to critical acclaim. It has received two Peabody Awards, for its coverage of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections Between 2001 and 2010, it has been awarded fourteen Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program, and a further seven nominations. The show has also been honored by GLAAD, the Television Critics Association and the Satellite Awards. America (The Book), the 2004 bestseller written by Stewart and the writing staff of The Daily Show, was recognized by Publishers Weekly as its "Book of the Year", and its abridged audiobook edition received the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. In September 2010 Time magazine selected the series as one of "The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Show#Awards

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

21. his job is to make people laugh. he's a funny man.

[no limit]

24. So you don't have the mental capacity to respond to what is asked of you?

All you can do is repeat the same thing over and over?

Not surprising.

What did Stewart say that was not true?

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

34. Obama is far more transparent then Bush ever was. Stewart makes it out like he's worse.

Stewart is pushing his false equivalency meme.

Democrats are just as bad as Repukes!!!

[no limit]

40. Did Stewart even mention Bush once in the clip? Where?

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

42. Stewart implies Obama is the most nontransparent President in History. It's a load of BS.

[no limit]

45. Stewart didn't imply anything. He pointed out simple facts

facts you dont dispute but smear Stewart anyway.

Are you okay with the white house holding meetings with lobbyists across the street from the white house so they dont have to disclose those meetings?

Are you okay with Obama prosecuting more whistle blowers than any administration in 40 years?

Are you okay with Obama censoring emails about their efforts to bring more transparency to government?

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

55. Do you deny Obama has done things to make his admin more transparent??

Go ahead and do it.
Then I'll prove you wrong.

[no limit]

61. Which efforts specifically?

He didn't change rules so that all meetings with lobbyists had to be disclosed.

He didn't do anything to promote whistle blowing.

He didn't change any rules to prevent freedom of information requests from being censored.

So what did he do that you think makes up for all fo this?

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

76. the Obama White House was the first in history to make its Visitor's Logs public

Do you deny this?

[no limit]

79. Lol great. so now they simply meet outside the white house

do you deny that?

I gave you 3 examples of Obama pissing all over everything he stood for when it comes to transparancy including the fact that Obama officials now meet outside the white house in order to avoid having to disclose those meetings. And your response to that is that the white house made all visitor logs public?

What a fucking joke.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

82. weren't you screaming for the Visitor's Logs before he released them???

You'll never be satisfied until you are seeing the Daily Presidential Memo.

If you don't like him.
Nothing he does will be able to change your mind.

[no limit]

93. Do you really not understand this?

Yes, I wanted them to release visitor logs. But I didn't want them to have a loop hole where they simply visited outside the white house in order to avoid these logs.

I have a hard time believing you don't understand the problem with this.

[defendandprotect]

207. "You can't wake up a man who is pretending to be asleep" --

The idea was to move the thread from discussion of what Jon said to

Jon -- and attacking the messenger succeeded again!!

You Skinner actually has a New, New, New Rule on that one -- !!

NO attacking the messenger!!



:evilgrin:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

80. Big fucking whoopdie do.

Seriously. That's why they hosted the lobbyists across the fucking street from the WH -- to avoid the fucking Visitors' logs. :crazy:

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

88. Do you have any figures on the number of meetings done in the White House vs. Outside???

or do you you just jump to the conclusion that all meetings are done outside based on one dated article??

If you have actual numbers then I can understand where you're coming from.
If you don't, then you are making a lot of assumptions.

[no limit]

92. Lol. The whole point of having these meets outside the white house...

is so that there won't be any numbers on how many or how often they take place since there is absoluely no record of them.

But what is not in dispute is that they happen. How often we will never know since that is the point.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

96. so you have no proof of what you say. you just really really want it to be true, right?

[no limit]

99. You can't be this...never mind, wont say it. Yes, I have proof these meetings happen

they have been widely reported on and Obama does not dispute them.

Do I have proof of how often they happen? No, because it's impossible to get proof. The reason it's impossible to get proof? because these meetings have absolutely no record.

And you are okay with that, right?

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

101. you act like there are no meetings at the White House anymore.

there are. they are in the visitor logs.

there may be proof offsite meetings happened. is there proof they are happening now??

[no limit]

104. Jesus fucking christ. I never said meeting no longer take place at the white house

I said those meetings the white houes wants to hide they simply take offsite.

Do you think Obama should implement a rule to ban these off-site meetings?

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[defendandprotect]

209. Exactly -- get on with the discussion -- where's Plan B?

[DaveJ]

166. I see Jedi's point

The fact that visitors logs are available from the White House is an improvement over what we had before. JS is making jokes but he is not being intellectually honest by acknowledging this. So yeah some emails are still getting censored and lobbyist meetings are still taking place in private, but regardless of what many dream, change of enormous magnitude does not happen instantaneously. Disparaging Obama like this lessens his chance at re-election and then we'll end up with NO visitor logs and ALL email being censored -- then we will be like oh shit why did we fall asleep again like in 2000.

[cui bono]

173. No. Letting Obama off the hook just gives us more corporate dems like him

and moves this country farther and farther right. We need to hold his feet to the fire.

And no, "Jedi's" point is not the least bit valid. Already proven above.

[DaveJ]

243. The honest truth is.. Dems have never been non-corporate

They are to the Left of Republicans. If you wan't him to lose we'll move further right. Simple as that.

If you want a Green Party candidate that's another topic. I vote Democratic because they are more competent, and I believe competency probably is what most serious middle ground voters look at. Problem is there are few serious voters, most are reactionary crackpots and wingnuts.

[City Lights]

106. It was still happening in late February.

And the WH defended it, so why should anyone assume it isn't continuing to happen?

[cui bono]

170. lmao!

:banghead:


:rofl:

[Name removed]

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[Hell Hath No Fury]

26. You don't win Peabodys for just being "funny"...

You don't get the heads of State, Ambassadors, world leaders, and government officials to appear on your show just by being "funny".

Fail.

[defendandprotect]

215. +1000% -- Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Obama is pretty funny -- !!

[Marr]

39. You sound exactly like the Bushbots who dismissed valid criticism simply

because it came from writers, entertainers, etc. Remember the whole, "shut-up and sing" thing, and how we pretty much all agreed it was a pathetic way of shutting out critics?

[joeunderdog]

46. The definition of SATIRE

"the use of wit, especially irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to criticize faults"

His valid points have enormous value in the political arena. His criticisms have gotten at least one show off the air. He uses humor to amplify points that media won't dare cover.



He shows the absurdity and hypocrisy of the politics of today and he doesn't even need to make stuff up to do it.

[russspeakeasy]

128. thanks for being sane joeunderdog.

[rhett o rick]

191. And in doing so he speaks truth to power. Do you have a problem with that? nm

[Name removed]

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[deutsey]

18. I don't know...personally, I believe humor often taps deeper truths than serious rhetoric

That's why we either find something by a comedian either funny or annoying, imo.

The blandest comic, the most outspoken comic, the most vile comic...each is trying to appeal at some level to sensibilities that individuals in their target audiences embrace.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

23. what's funny about pretending the Democrats and Repukes are just as bad as each other??

John sold us out.

He's playing the middle so his ratings don't suffer.

and to think he could have actually been a force for progress.

[frylock]

27. what was inaccurate about what he said last night?

answer: nothing.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

33. Jon didn't sell anybody out -

His only job is to expose through humor, whether GOPer or Dem.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

38. is it true that Democrats are as bad as Republicans??

Is the Far Left equal to the Teabaggers???

That is Jon's position. Or at least the one he makes public, which is really all that counts.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

49. Jon's position is that there is only truth and sunlight -

Sorry you can't handle that.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

62. so you think Lefties are as bad as Teabaggers? that's the 'truth' Jon peddles.

[no limit]

115. No, he thinks no political party has monopoly on truth or lies

both parties lie. And you want to sit here and say Stewart has no right to point out when Democrats lie?

[intheflow]

167. Please provide a link to the episode where Stewart says Lefties = Teabaggers.

I've never seen such a clip. If you can't back it up, don't claim it. Otherwise, you're just blowing smoke out your ass.

[druidity33]

224. I remember

the Stewart/Colbert rally. People here were upset about his comparisons between Beck and Olbermann... the premise was that the left and the right both have whacko idealogues, so let's just "restore sanity". That was one of the first times i heard the phrase "false equivalency" floated here. Since then, he hasn't spent too much time "comparing" sides... but he does spend time excoriating both Democrats and Republicans and i don't think he's biased about who he's critical of.

:shrug:

[intheflow]

231. I remember that, too,

And I love your phrasing here: "the premise was that the left and the right both have whacko idealogues..." But that's hardly saying the left is the same as the teabaggers, which is what the poster I was responding to said. Talk about a false equivalency!

:hi:

[druidity33]

245. That was the implication...

though he never said it directly. He did compare KeithO and Beck, he equated them to each other. On at least one occasion (TV interview), he backed up this viewpoint that the rhetoric is just as bad on both sides. In my opinion, he was extremely close to saying "the left is the same as the teabaggers", without voicing it unequivocally.

I :shrug: again.

[intheflow]

248. I think comparing Beck and Olbermann

has some validity in terms of rhetorical, opinion-driven "news," though of course Olbermann has reality on his side, and doesn't cry for ratings. But I don't see Stewart saying the left = teabaggers. I think Stewart identifies as a member of the left. The fact that he condemns some of Obama's actions is no different from DUers who decry some of Obama's actions - politicians are elected humans, not divine kings, and they should be held accountable for their actions from both their supporters and detractors.

[Name removed]

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[deutsey]

47. Most satirists love targeting hypocrisy, pomposity, and double-talking where ever they find it

I happen to see these traits on both sides of the aisle...and in humanity in general.

Frankly, I haven't seen TDS in a long time and don't really miss it. Maybe he has sold out...I wouldn't know. I know that while I appreciated the spirit of his big rally in DC, I thought he made way too much out of Code Pink et al., as examples of leftwing extremism being as bad as rightwing extremism. It was like comparing anthills to skyscrapers to me.

I've always liked Colbert over Jon, anyway, but I've tended to like both whenever they're hitting lies and stupidity where ever they are, not just toeing a political party line.

[Donnachaidh]

53. no -- it wasn't *John* who sold us out

But those who did are crapping their underoos because he pointed out the grand hypocrisy.

[Name removed]

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[JonLP24]

208. I agree

[City Lights]

25. That's rich coming from an anonymous poster on the Internet.

:rofl:

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

30. I've never forgiven Jon for his hand in Get Smoochy.

[walldude]

65. And I never got to thank him for burying Tucker Carlson

and Crossfire.

Your anti-Stewart schtick is wearing thin.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

77. I used to like Jon Stewart. Back in the days when he masqueraded as a Democrat.

[no limit]

81. translation: "I liked Stewart only when he told the truth about republicans"

"when it comes to democrats Stewart must ignore all the wrong they do!"

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

84. No. Back when he actually admitted that Repukes are a whole lot worse than Democrats.

For the People and the Planet.

[no limit]

85. The only thing Stewart ever did was speak truth to power

just because you don't like today's truth is your problem. He never said that republicans are worse than democrats, that they are better than democrats, or that they are the same. You are making shit up.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

89. They are worse than Democrats. Stewart ignores and avoids this.

[no limit]

95. It is not Stewarts job to point out who is worse than who, it never was

the fact you don't like that doesn't mean shit.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

103. if it's his job to bash Obama. why not tell the whole truth??

[no limit]

105. He wasn't bashing anyone, and he was telling the whole truth.

[walldude]

117. The "truth" has an

"anti-Obama" bias. :shrug:

[Iggo]

123. +

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuinqB9z3JI

[Name removed]

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[cui bono]

174. That's your problem. Rather than looking at what things really are

you just look at the label.

You need to go beyond the surface.

[rhett o rick]

192. What are you masquerading as? nm

[defendandprotect]

210. And to be a "Democrat" you have to ignore Obama's corporate policies -- ??

[Bandit]

72. It isn't Stewart that is doing the things he brings to our attention.

It doesn't matter how funny or unfunny a person might be. What matters if what they are revealing is the truth or not..Stewart nails it every time...Obama not so much..

[susanr516]

100. Many a truth is spoken in jest nt

[Lorien]

107. Yeah, he's only a comedian; WHO WON THE PEABODY AWARD FOR JOURNALISM

http://usliberals.about.com/b/2005/04/08/daily-shows-jon-stewart-wins-top-journalism-award.htm

[Electric Monk]

108. "These are not the droids you're looking for"

type Jedi mind tricks don't work in ascii.

Nice try, though. You sure kept the thread kicked.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

118. More seriously than you.

Sorry for the tough-love post.

[roguevalley]

124. wow. enjoy your chains.

[L0oniX]

136. Yea sure ...just like George Carlin got laughs by telling the truth.

[dorkulon]

137. "Nothing to see here, move along, just a dead messenger."

I'm afraid it's you who should not be taken seriously.

[Downtown Hound]

138. Yeah whatever. More Americans believe him than most journalists

including me.

[Name removed]

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[humbled_opinion]

158. ??? You mean when he lambastes Democrats?????

You sound like a Repuke shill, they say the same thing about Jon Stewart that you do....

FYI,

Jon Stewart uses comedy to point out the hypocrisy and idiocy in the entire Political spectrum and yes he should be taken seriously because too many people don't have a clue to the deeper issues and he uses a very acceptable form of communication to get that information out there.....

[cleanhippie]

162. I think its safe to say that he should be taken more seriously than you, right?

Because I do not take you seriously at all.

[tomp]

169. and obama is a joke. get it? nt

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[siligut]

196. Traditionally it has been the jester who could tell the truth. nt

[defendandprotect]

204. Try dealing with the message ... and forget attacking the messenger ....

[Name removed]

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[leftonlongisland]

232. Re: Comedians

I don't think this is fair, Djedi. Stewart is pointing out a serious problem here.

[Deep13]

235. Meanwhile, back in reality.... nt

[harun]

239. And Obama is a public servant, nothing more.

[The Doctor.]

246. Yet he's a far more reliable source of information than the M$M.

I feel opportunism here.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. Pretty fucking insane. n/t

[Occulus]

12. Obama's behavior or Stewart's comments on that behavior? n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. That was in response to the OP's question in the post. n/t

[Name removed]

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[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Like always, Jon -

is simply telling it like it is. I find it refreshing and it makes me feel a little less crazy to hear someone else noticing these things, too. Others will not liek what he has to say and dismiss him in any way they can.

[ReggieVeggie]

8. It's typical

remember, Obama has a D behind his name. Shhhh!

[white_wolf]

9. So is Jon Stewart the new Ralph Nader of DU?

[bahrbearian]

35. Its sad isn't, tell the truth and get attacked.

[liberation]

131. It depends...

... one week he is their darling with all the false equivalences that centrist love when trashing the left, next thing you know he says something less than reassuring about Obama and boom.... under the bus he goes. It is like how polls do not matter whenever they don't paint a rosy picture, but they become the indisputable truth whenever they support their argument.

One thing is clear, there is nothing "moderate" about these self proclaimed "moderates." Because, when cult of personality takes over funny things happen, everything becomes dogmatic to the extreme and intellectual honesty is left well behind.

[ScreamingMeemie]

156. Give it two years, perhaps less, and people here will start saying he's crazy...

..and that they feel sorry for him. :)

[defendandprotect]

211. The "enemies" list here continues to grow ... it's like Nixon's list -- only the GREAT are on it !!

[democrank]

10. I just saw another purple unicorn.

Everything is beautiful

[emulatorloo]

13. I think you mean "struck a nerve"

Thanks for the link, I did not see the show.

[DeSwiss]

15. Well, I think getting.....

...his most recent "http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4795405">award for open government & transparency" in a private closed-door ceremony pretty much said it all.

- You can't get very much more ironic or absurd than that.....

K&R

[svsuman23]

20. didn't find anything but the truth in that clip..

[dennis4868]

28. Because you take what...

he said as fact....if you do that then it was a great show.....

[no limit]

41. What did he saw that wasn't fact

god people like you piss me off. You are arrogant by choice.

[Marr]

44. I haven't seen one response to your question yet.

How odd.

[no limit]

52. At this point it's getting disgusting. This country is fucked up because of bots like these

to them it's all about party loyalty, fuck what's actually good for the country if it gets in the way of that loyalty.

[dennis4868]

50. Better to be pissed off....

then pissed on, right?

I think Obama has done alot to protect whistleblowers but at the same time he is following the law and prosecuting those that break the law....that's his job....to enforce the existing laws on the books....but certainly he has signed legislation changing the laws that protect whistleblowers....such narrow minded thinkers here....

[ReggieVeggie]

54. protect them from him?

I think you need to take off the rose colored glasses

[dennis4868]

74. Are you saying...

Obama should ignore and not enforce the law on the books? THAT'S HIM DAMN JOB!

[OnyxCollie]

91. When will the bushcheney prosecutions begin? nt

[ZombieHorde]

114. Bush gets a pass, why not whistle blowers? nt

[no limit]

60. So you don't dispute anything that Stewart said.

Why are there more whistle blowers today than in the past 40 years getting prosecuted?

Why is the administration holding meetings with lobbyists across the street from the white house so they don't have to disclose them?

Why did the administration censor more than 200 emails on their efforts to bring transparency to government?

[bvar22]

68. You "THINK" Obama has done alot to protect whistleblowers?

You should get out more.

Obama vs Whistleblowers
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2058340,00.html

Obama MORE Aggressive than Bush in targeting Whistleblowers
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/politics/12leak.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&hp

[dennis4868]

73. There has been legislation...

signed by Obama and executive orders protecting whistleblowers....that is just a fact....I know DUers like to ignore anything good that Obama does so it's hard to debate you guys.....

[bvar22]

83. Please link to data supporting your claim.

Posting testimony from Whistleblowers that have been protected by Obama would be nice.

[dennis4868]

87. why should I do your homework....

I am looking at legislation right now that was signed by PBO that supports and protects whistleblowers....if you cant find this on your won by tomorrow I will do your dirty work and send you links....

[MessiahRp]

102. I love that, "Why should I do your homework?"

Such a shitty way to insinuate you have facts on your side that are unquestionable without having to post a single link proving any of it. Codeword for: I'm totally full of shit.

If you make an accusation or a claim that you state as fact, you should be referencing it with a link. If not, you should be immediately discounted as 'completely full of it'.

Rp

[dennis4868]

141. Do you want me to send you links that today is....

Tuesday? I said I would send tomorrow....there was just legislation passed and Obama signed protecting whistleblowers....should not be too hard for you to find witha little effort :-)

[myrna minx]

119. You've made the assertion - it's up to you to prove the assertion not

for others to prove it for you.

Have you ever written a research paper? Were your footnotes/endnotes - "do it yourself"?!

[City Lights]

121. LOL!

Have you ever written a research paper? Were your footnotes/endnotes - "do it yourself"?!

:thumbsup:

:rofl:

[laundry_queen]

179. LOL here too! nt

[myrna minx]

247. Can you imagine?

I'm imagining a submission to JAMA or the Lancet with "I won't do your dirty work for you!" as sourcing. :rofl:

[demmiblue]

226. Lol!

:rofl:

[cui bono]

176. Please cite examples and provide links about Obama protecting whisteblowers.

Thanks.

[kurtzapril4]

193. It's not arrogant by choice...

It's ignorant by choice.

[Thunderstruck]

48. WHAT DID HE SAY THAT WASN'T FACTUAL?

[NorthCarolina]

154. Nothing, and that is why you can ask 1,000,000 times, and you will get only snark in response. nt

[Marr]

31. I was wondering why there was a sudden rash of "Stewart sucks" sentiment here this morning.

[zalinda]

32. Isn't if funny how Stewart told the truth about Bush,

but lies about Obama? Jon, welcome under the bus, we'll make room.

zalinda

[Hell Hath No Fury]

43. Yup.

Hypocrisy at its height.

Back in the bad ol' Bush days I used to joke that Jr. could bugger a Boy Scout on live TV and there would be some Bushbots who would find a way to rationalize it.

Seems that mindset is not limited to GOPers. :(

[dennis4868]

51. who said he always....

told the truth about Bush?

[Donnachaidh]

59. who says he didn't?

shrill much? :sarcasm:

[no limit]

66. You know the amazing thing?

Lately certain members here are actually defending Bush administration policies everyone hated when Bush was in office just so they can defend Bush. I've even seen people say illegal wiretapping wasn't in fact illegal.

This is just another example of it.

[dennis4868]

75. Who has defended Bush policies?

The issue is that many here think that whatever Stewart said is from the mouth of god....I am sure if Stewart would say nice things about Obama many here would ignore it or shrug it off....

[no limit]

78. Recently in a thread you were a part of people were making the argument that...

...if congress doesn't go after the president for an action (Libya or illegal wiretapping for example) then that action is automatically legal. I don't feel like looking that thread up right now but I think you actually agreed with that.

[dennis4868]

86. That's wrong....

I never agreed that whatever the president does is legal....

[SaveOurDemocracy]

161. Yup ... down is up, hot is cold, and right is ...

the new left.

[TransitJohn]

168. Plenty of room under here, and we're good company.

:hi:

[SaveOurDemocracy]

177. The very best company! Knowledgeable, dedicated,

rational, consistent in our beliefs, dedicated to upholding long-held Democratic platform values, and principles...annnnnd we're clever and fun too! Most of the writers and voices, who kept us sane through the bush-years, have been declared unworthy and have joined the underbus community.

Under the bus is the new 'democratic underground'. :hi:

[Arkana]

36. Jon Stewart's a comedian and he's going to pick on things he finds funny.

[lynne]

58. I see that some would prefer to "kill the messenger" -

- but I didn't see anything that wasn't true in the clip. We'd better get used to it as this is only the beginning . . .

[Orsino]

67. Yeah. Would a debunking somehow require a separate thread or something?

:shrug:

We can agree with the story or dispute it...but complaining about it's being aired would seem to be a double dose of irony.

[Fuzz]

70. I just don't understand DU anymore.

[defendandprotect]

212. Same old stuff -- the brand name has to be supported --

but nothing anything real --

Maybe we need a name change here to small "d" democratic underground?

Many here still think it's about party -- when it's one party with two wings!!



The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414

If you knew about it, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know, pass it along!

:)

[2banon]

241. Koch Brothers Big Supporter of DLC.. That Explains a LOT

Why am I so Not Suprised? ....

[defendandprotect]

251. What took us so long to find out? Dem Party has been harboring Koch/DLC for decades -- !!

[Lucian]

71. When Stewart spoke out against Bush, he was a hero.

When he speaks out against Obama, he's a traitor.

:eyes:

[Lorien]

110. Yep, and when Bush went to war for oil he was a villian

but when Obama does it he's a "humanitarian". It's all about supporting the team. The issues don't matter in the least to many here.

[Lucian]

120. It doesn't matter who's president.

When something idiotic or unjust goes on, I'm not going to support it.

[They_Live]

132. + 1000

yes.

[whatchamacallit]

90. K&R n/t

[slay]

94. Some people can't handle the truth

like Jack said in A Few Good Men. Another poster pointed out yesterday that those who still support Obama at this point seem to be wrapped up in his "cult of personality" - rather than staying true to their own - and the Democratic party of old's - values.

you can argue facts with some Obama supporters til the cows come home and you might as well be talking to a foxnews viewer - they will defend their "leader" no matter what the actual facts happen to be.

i expected this kind of willful ignorance from conservatives and right-wing types. i'm quite surprised and saddened to see it on the left as well. although to be honest, it seems those who call themselves "centrist" are the ones who are still fervently supporting him.

[Rex]

97. Blind faith in someone shows a persons ignorance imo.

The rah rah crowd here is CONVINCED that if you say one bad word about Obama...you are a FR troll (actually had another DU suggest that I was one of the FR types for criticizing Obama). It is beyond pathetic and I hope the mods start moving their crap to GD:president or whatever forum they need to go to feel better about their lives.

[Lorien]

109. BLIND loyalty and denial aren't only found on the right, sadly

the desperate need for a strong father figure exists on the "left" as well.

[abelenkpe]

145. +1000 nt

[Bluenorthwest]

112. He's always on the spot.

Those who expect comics to help polish an image for some politician must have been born yesterday. Stewart has his facts in order and his wits about him.

[pa28]

116. The real highlight was the "whatever" voters.

Two shell shocked people taking a few minutes between foreclosure hearings to offer lukewarm support for the President. I'm sure they were actors but I'd say the campaign has really captured the zeitgeist of the time here.

:rofl:

[liberation]

130. I was confused about that...

... given some of the very enthusiastic supporters in this site, I am surprised the Obama campaign weren't able to contact them instead.

Maybe it is not so easy to astroturf when not enjoying anonymity? :shrug:

[Roy Rolling]

122. hypocrisy

Hypocrisy can be satirically funny. If Obama doesn't want to be the subject of ridicule then don't be a hypocrite about holding secret meetings to avoid public scrutiny. It's the same as right-wingers that preach morality but sneak into the shadows to practice immoral behavior---it is the subject of ridicule and satire by comedians like Stewart. Obama makes a big deal about transparency and then practices the opposite. It is not Stewart's fault---don't kill the messenger----it is Obama's fault for not practicing what he preaches.

[Oilwellian]

187. Well said Roy

I like your comment best. :D

[Fuddnik]

127. BLASPHEMY!!

STONE HIM!

[Frisbee]

129. Typical of the "Obama can do no wrong" crowd.

If something was wrong when Cheney or shrub did it, it is wrong now, even if it is a "Democrat" doing it. What is so hard to understand about that?

[wildbilln864]

133. k & fucking r! nt

[Beacool]

135. I couldn't stop laughing.

Laughing, not so much because it was funny, but because Stewart couldn't have nailed it better. Transparency, you say? Pff, that's campaign speak, just like most of the other vapid speeches of 2008.

What do you call the adoring masses that sent him millions of dollars and hanged on his every word?

Suckers!!!!

:rofl:

[Taverner]

139. So when are we supposed to throw Stewart in the DU "Nader Bucket"?

I seem to not be getting the talking points from on high...

[colsohlibgal]

142. Stewart Is Doing This Because the MSN Will Not

Someone has to point out the stupefying hypocrisy/shadiness of both parties. MSN is more focused on Charlie Sheen and crap like that.

I expressed my feelings stridently when the DNC sent me a survey and a donation form. At the end I told them I give individually to true democrats, true progressives, but there was no way in Hell I was going to let any of my money find it's way to DINOs like Nelson, Dodd, Feinstein......or sadly Barack Obama. Apologists need to know that denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

Meantime I'll support to the best of my ability the likes of Bernie Sanders , Anothony Weiner, Alan Grayson, etc. Real, not fake, populists.

[GeorgeGist]

144. Sorry I missed it.

Instead I watched the worst NCAA men's Final, EVER.

[BB1]

147. Amazing. The ignorance just jumps at me

from the screen. Some people will defend Obama and his policies no matter what.
Others are willing to take an objective stance and see what's what.
So what's what?
As a 'socialist-European' redcommiebastard I think Obama has lost sight of his voters a long time ago. Around the time he was getting his actual first voters, probably. The sentiment on this side of the pond is that you can't become an American President without being Christian, Idiotic and Corrupt. CIC allright.
Why would that go for Bush I and II, Clinton, Reagan and any other warmongering US President, but not for Obama? He doesn't end any wars, he doesn't proscecute Bush/Cheney etc, he doesn't put his foot down on BP, he doesn't stamp out lobbying, he doesn't do anything about freaking Wall Street. Which hurts the whole damn world.
So if Stewart states facts about Obama not being the Saviour most of those whiners thought him to be while voting for him, you whiners might as well shut up about it. The rest of the world saw this one coming a loooong time ago.
The MIC won't allow a dem nor a repub to run the show. THEY run it, and each and every president since Truman knows it. That's what they signed up for.
That's what's what.
'
*Team Truth To Power

[defendandprotect]

252. True -- and ...

The Rightwing Koch Bros. Funded the DLC --

http://www.democrats.com/node/7789

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x498414


If you knew this, why didn't you tell us?

If you didn't know -- pass it along!

:)

[AllTooEasy]

148. Thank you John for helping the Republicans

:SARCASM:

[no limit]

150. And thank you Obama for helping lobbyists and corporate interests.

[defendandprotect]

205. +1000% ... and resurrecting the GOP from the ashes!!

[mistertrickster]

151. Yeah, but don't dare say that "Obama lied." Then you're just like the T party. nt

[pam4water]

152. Agrees K&R

[upi402]

155. "prosecuted more whistle blowers than any administration "

Worth repeating. Some are very willing to skip tiny little details.

[Little Star]

186. makes ya wonder how many DUers would have tried to go on the...

Hale Bopp Comet trip. They sure act like a bunch of followers. I just don't get the blind support.

[NorthCarolina]

157. The Dem Fringe Right obviously hates to be confronted with indesputible truth. nt

[disillusioned73]

228. "Dem Fringe Right" - I like that..

:dem:

[2banon]

159. I really appreciate this link.. Thank You!

And I find it disconcerting that one or two posters are so successful at putting up really lame (and i do mean LAME) strawman "arguements" in an obious attempt to lock this thread, and hide the facts revealed by Stewart, who is simply re-reporting news from commonly trusted sources, such as the New York Times. (even a broken clock gets it right twice a day).

[Danger Mouse]

165. K and R. Yet another empty promise. Jon Stewart hit this one spot on.

[tomp]

171. second thread i've read today that shot the messenger.

completely derailed the focus from obama to someone else. earlier it was "russia today".

the defenders of obama the rightist are as strongly misleading as obama the rightist himself.

my advice: don't defend jon or rt. go directly after obama's terrible policies as presented in the op.. each time the messenger is attacked go back to the original point. and don't ask or answer obviously defensive questions, make statements.

[defendandprotect]

213. It's a well-practiced pattern ... but it has to happen immediately the thread goes up -- !!

[tomp]

249. yes, it seems that way. nt

[Oceansaway]

172. K&R...n/t

[SaveOurDemocracy]

180. "How fucking insane is that?"

Insanely insane ... but unsurprising. K&R

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

181. But..but..transparency in government made a swell (but, empty) campaign slogan.

[defendandprotect]

203. Do we now cross that one off the list for 2012 campaign ... ?

[nashville_brook]

182. too bad Obama is providing such rich material lately -- a CLOSED transparency award ceremony?

Bask in the glow of your "Trannie," Mr. President -- since there's no sunlight shining in.

[OwnedByFerrets]

185. Glad to make this 200

[ChairmanAgnostic]

195. No, he prosecuted WHISTLE BLOWERS. Those who tried to give us

Truth and information.

[hulka38]

197. Let's face it, this whole presidency has been ridiculous. n/t

[roberto IS beto]

198. ad hominem attacks aside

Stewart does a good job of presenting facts.
Personally, I trust him more than I trust the President.
(But I think Joe Biden rocks!!!)

[pacalo]

199. I stand with Jon. K&R!

[dana_b]

200. the truth hurts

but it WAS funny!! k&r

[girl_interrupted]

201. Kirsten Gillibrand Praises The Daily Show For Zadroga Victory (VIDEO)

Kirsten Gillibrand visited The Daily Show last night to discuss the success of the 9/11 First Responders Bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/05/kirsten-gillibrand-praise_n_804670.html

The media gave very little press to this bill, for way too long. And it kept getting rejected over and over. And this seemed to be the last ditch effort to get it passed. But you would hardly know it. Corporate media barely reported it, if at all. In the meantime, the responders continued to die off without the benefit of health coverage. The very people who put their lives on the line. It was truly appalling. Then Jon started talking about it almost every night and did a fantastic show with some 9/11 responders themselves. And people started talking and finally the Major Media outlets started to talk about it too. And people started voicing their support.

So thank you, Jon Stewart, because your actions are appreciated by so many. Please keep telling it like it is, whether its about republicans or democrats, you're a breath of fresh air.

[defendandprotect]

202. When Obama meets lobbyists "across the street" ... I'd say, admission of guilt -- !!

What may it be he'd fear having reported/disclosed?

[ReggieVeggie]

223. have to agree

I remember the big stink about release of White House logs...we can skip over that! Just meet with lobbyists away from the White House!!

[somone]

216. There you have it

[chill_wind]

217. The real record of the transparency of this administration is easily tracked

at sites like the FAS website.

http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2011/02/crs_open_gov.html

And it's not very attractive.

The uniformed, hard-headed knee jerk denials and distractions in this thread to the contrary are transparently desperate and just ridiculous, as so often the case. Ignorance truly must be bliss.

[SlipperySlope]

218. Ouch

[Name removed]

219. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nashville_brook]

240. +1000

[sufrommich]

242. Are you accusing DUers of being paid to post here? nt

[Name removed]

220. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[democracy1st]

221. K & R great post thanks for the video link!

[Butch350]

225. Who do you get the Stock Market News from,

"Rocky and Bullwinkle"?

[brewens]

227. You could justify some secrecy to keep you opponents from

knowing your every move and strategy. A lot of this secrecy though, is to keep us from knowing how things are getting done.

[NorthCarolina]

229. Wow. Now I wonder if there are other campaign promises that were basically just campaign BS

:evilgrin:

[ProSense]

230. "Stewart's verbal spank comes just days after the House Oversight and Government

Reform Committee released a report slamming Obama political appointees for 'politicizing' the Freedom Of Information (FOI) process."

It's not like Republicans have an agenda: Issa promotes whistleblower website

Immigration law enforcement is up under Obama. Does that mean he's anti-immigration? Maybe he's a stickler for enforcing the law. Bush simply looked away.

A spokesman for the Justice Department, Matthew A. Miller, said the Drake case was not intended to deter government employees from reporting problems. “Whistle-blowers are the key to many, many department investigations — we don’t retaliate against them, we encourage them,” Mr. Miller said. “This indictment was brought on the merits, and nothing else.”

Though Mr. Obama began his presidency with a pledge of transparency, his aides have warned of a crackdown on leakers. In a November speech, the top lawyer for the intelligence agencies, Robert S. Litt, decried “leaks of classified information that have caused specific and identifiable losses of intelligence capabilities.” He promised action “in the coming months.”

Prosecutions like those of Mr. Drake; the F.B.I. translator, Shamai Leibowitz; and potentially Specialist Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence analyst, who has not yet been charged, have only a handful of precedents in American history. Among them are the cases of Daniel Ellsberg, a Defense Department consultant who gave the Pentagon Papers to The Times in 1971, and Samuel L. Morison, a Navy analyst who passed satellite photographs to Jane’s Defense Weekly in 1984.

Under President Bush, no one was convicted for disclosing secrets directly to the press. But Lawrence A. Franklin, a Defense Department official, served 10 months of home detention for sharing classified information with officials of a pro-Israel lobbying group, and I. Lewis Libby Jr., a top aide to Mr. Cheney, was convicted of perjury for lying about his statements to journalists about an undercover C.I.A. officer, Valerie Plame Wilson.

more

Even the staunchest advocates of whistleblower rights can see improvements.

Health Care Bill Enhances Whistleblower Protections

As part of the anti-fraud provisions of the health care legislation passed yesterday, Congress strengthened the False Claims Act - one of the most effective whistleblower laws in the United States - in order to ensure that whistleblowers can expose fraud under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Lindsey Williams, Advocacy Director at the National Whistleblowers Center, explained the whistleblower provisions incorporated into the health care law: "The bill directly addresses the right of whistleblowers to obtain protection under the False Claims Act. A number of courts had significantly narrowed the interpretation of 'whistleblower' under the law, resulting in a chilling effect on employees' willingness to risk their careers to expose fraud against the taxpayers. The health care legislation passed by Congress contains a much-needed provision correcting these narrow, anti-whistleblower rulings."

The legislation also ensures that the False Claims Act anti-fraud provisions will apply to the "exchanges" established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if they use federal funds. Additionally, the False Claims Act is strengthened regarding failure to return overpayments and includes greater anti-kickback provisions.

"Regardless of where you stood on the health care debate, this is a major step forward for fraud prevention and ensures that whistleblowers, who risk their careers to expose fraud in the new health care system and by large pharmaceutical companies, won't have their cases maliciously thrown out of court," added Ms. Williams.

Obama Signs Landmark Whistleblower Protections in Food Safety Act

[no limit]

238. I noticed you didn't have a response to the lobbyist meets across the street from the white house

nor the fact that Obama censored over 200 emails dealing with transparency. And no matter how hard to you try to polish that turd the simple fact is more whistleblowers are being prosecuted by this administration than in the prior 40 years. So what ever policies Obama implemented to protect whistleblowers obviously aren't working.

[Name removed]

234. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Deep13]

236. That surpised even me....

And I wasn't surprised by the surprise appearance of the surpriseasaurus rex at the surprise party of Albert Surpriserson.

[Iggo]

250. Albert?

:rofl: