Congress is (tentatively) officially a farce.
- Thread starter bhsup
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While Bush's was farce.
Godwynn
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Rashiminos
Fool Prophet
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It was a brilliant testimony. Certainly made more sense than Congress normally does. Only an idiot wouldn't be able to see the point he was making with his satire. He even plainly said it near the end.
I'd vote for Colbert if he seriously (instead of in jest, like last time) ran for President.
I'd vote for Colbert if he seriously (instead of in jest, like last time) ran for President.
Miles Teg
Nuclear Powered Mentat
It's really tacky, but I doubt it signals the end of the Republic. We've had interviews with (intentionally) comedic characters before, and David Webster hasn't risen from his grave to kill us all yet.
Lord of Elves
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civver_764
Deity
I think you all are over reacting. It really isn't that big a deal.
Tani Coyote
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Sure it's nothing major, but when one sees government doing pointless or idiotic things, one questions the effectiveness of that government.
For example, I find it hard not to raise eyebrows at the UN's effectiveness/usefulness when I hear they're spending the money we give them going after citizens just for using their name and logo without their permission. Shouldn't they be trying to get the Israelis and Palestinians to sign treaties or some such? Never mind, but shouldn't the UN's properties be the collective property of humanity in light of thier mission?
It's all fine and dandy for Congress to hold hearings, but upon hearing they're interviewing a comedian - in character at that, where he's just being satirical and not serious about his opinion - many people get a bit angry because they expect something better from their government. Never mind that both sides should get equal time; that doesn't mean you put a comedian on the stand who fakes and satires the opinion. It means you request someone who actually believes the opinion. Otherwise it's one-sided testimony.
The problem with the OP's rant is that it runs under the assumption that Congress wasn't a farce to begin with.
Lord of Elves
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Like Tanicius said, when one sees a government that has large amounts of funding using it to an end that seems rather pointless, you begin to question whether that government is capable of effectively running a country, especially a nuclear superpower.
So I just watched it. Two things:
1) A Congressman said his comments were "different than what he submitted" to the panel prior to testifying. Ergo perhaps the panel did not know what version of Stephen Colbert they were getting?
2) He was pretty funny. As everyone else already pointed out, the Senate, and especially these stupid hearings, are always a farce and are always solely for TV time for Congressmen to get in their little 10 second soundbites of them sounding angry and all that so they can go home to their constituents and say "see! look how mad I was at those evil bankers! grrr!!"
And perhaps MOST importantly, guess which joke (and the only joke, as far as I could tell) the committee members actually laughed at? The one where he said "I am sure that after my testimony you will all work together for the benefit of the American people." So I guess really, the jokes on us and it always has been.
1) A Congressman said his comments were "different than what he submitted" to the panel prior to testifying. Ergo perhaps the panel did not know what version of Stephen Colbert they were getting?
2) He was pretty funny. As everyone else already pointed out, the Senate, and especially these stupid hearings, are always a farce and are always solely for TV time for Congressmen to get in their little 10 second soundbites of them sounding angry and all that so they can go home to their constituents and say "see! look how mad I was at those evil bankers! grrr!!"
And perhaps MOST importantly, guess which joke (and the only joke, as far as I could tell) the committee members actually laughed at? The one where he said "I am sure that after my testimony you will all work together for the benefit of the American people." So I guess really, the jokes on us and it always has been.
He was just doing a job that unfunny Americans are unwilling or unable to do.
Ajidica
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I really don't think it is that bad. He was comedic yes, but he also raised some good points and statistics. And face it, Colbert brought attention to this hearing. If he wasn't there, would anyone have made a thread on it? I doubt it.
CaptainF
The Professional Poster
I agree with Illram, Bill3000 and warpus...
Congress has always been the real bunch of clowns, not Colbert. The OP's righteous anger has been wasted.
Congress has always been the real bunch of clowns, not Colbert. The OP's righteous anger has been wasted.
MeteorPunch
#WINNING
For reals...
They know what they're voting before debate even occurs - their $ source has already told them. Speeches are what politicians truly get paid for, grandstanding for a spot on the evening news.
What possible wisdom could Colbert, character or not, bring to this hearing? If we're going to make our republican institutions simply another medium for entertainment (albeit a dangerous and incompetent one), let's just go at it full throttle.
Maybe instead of choosing the next Supreme Court justice by voting, Congress could vote to make the nominee run the Double Dare obstacle course. If they complete it, they get to be the next justice and they get a family pack of passes to SeaWorld.
Obama's speeches from the Oval Office could have musical guests. "Good night, and God bless... now, Deep Purple! Don't forget, stay tuned for an all new Jersey Shore and a sneak-peek at the new Hannah Montana movie."
Transition to Max Headroom universe: 30% complete.
