If JABBS has a kindred spirit in the world of television, it is Jon Stewart and the rest of the gang at Comedy Central's The Daily Show.
Simply put, Stewart et al have the uncanny ability to make razor-sharp political analysis—better than just about anything you'll see on a real news show—entertaining and memorable.
The Aug. 25 edition of the show provides the latest example of why this may the most intelligent and meaningful half hour on television.
The subject was President Bush's talking points on the Iraq War. If you a regular JABBS reader, I'm sure you will agree with Stewart's various points.
STEWART: (Bush) has developed a sophisticated exit strategy ... for getting out of questions about the war. It's a strategy known as repetition, or "repetition." It's one he'd used with great success many times before.
"But Jon," you ask, "how does it work?"
...
The first step is to let people know you're aware of their questions. Then the president can reduce these nuanced concerns into a simplistic misguided concern that he can easily refute.
BUSH MONTAGE: I also know there's a lot of folks here in the United States that are, you know, wondering about troop withdrawals ... I also have heard the voices of those saying: "pull out now" ... Immediate withdrawal from Iraq would be a mistake.
STEWART: See? He knows the concerns that make you look like a pussy. So staying the course in Iraq is the plan. But what about all the violence and chaos we see? Pah! It's not match for a simple eight-letter word. See if you can pick out the one he uses:
BUSH MONTAGE: I am pleased with the progress being made ... we're making progress ... a lot of progress ... I'm please with the progress ... progress ... progress ... Oh I know it's hard for some Americans to see that ...
STEWART: But?
BUSH: ... we are making progress.
STEWART: Yes!
So we're doing the right thing and we're making good progress. So, I guess that means, uh, if I hear you correctly—we're doing the right thing and we're making good progress—that soon we'll be able to talk about concrete troop withdrawal?
Article comments
1 - Shark
"And there you go, talking points. Simple! Catchy! "
...add: "Tragic. Destructive."
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btw: thanks for posting; it was one of the few nights I missed the show.
2 - Jude Nagurney Camwell
Jon Stewart handed Christopher Hitchens his stubborn, stuffy and equivocating defense of the Iraq war right back to him (fried crispy) on a silver platter last night. It was supremo!
3 - gonzo marx
Jon Stewart > the GOP
nuff said?
Excelsior!
4 - Jude
See Wonkette
5 - Dean
It's a very sad commentary on the low quality of the media, when the best, most articulate voice on television news...is a fake news host.
6 - Dave Nalle
The interview with Hitchens was the best thing I've seen on TV in ages. To see two people actually talk that intelligently even if only for a couple of minutes was such a startling change - even from shows like McLaughlin or Tim Russert - that I was riveted.
As for Stewart handing Hitchens his head, I have to remind you that at the end Hitchens maneuvered Stewart into admitting that he kind of sort of wanted to support the War in Iraq. That's a major accomplishment and a credit to Stewart's honesty.
Dave
7 - Kurt
John "Stewart" (not his real name, which he freely admits - anti-Semitism is still very real) for President! Did ya'll see him scolding those Crossfire idiots? The man is wonderful.
8 - David R. Mark
That's right. He was born Jon Stewart Leibowitz.
But I think he shortened the name because Jon Stewart is catchier -- rather than because of a fear of anti-Semitism.
9 - Lisa McKay
Especially since he often uses his Jewish ethnicity as a point of his humor.
10 - D.C.
For crying out loud. I'd rather watch Blue Collar t.v. than this bone head.
11 - Stephan
Used to be..... still financially conservative, socially moderate.
Though I don't think Bush is as conservative as he claims, more like financially liberal, socially conservative.
Love Jon Stewart though. His news show often says what I think - none of the other news shows does that.
What keeps me watching isn't the comedy but the guests - liberal & conservative alike. The intelligence of the conversations often eclipses that of the more "serious" news shows which often treat me like an idiot (like GW with his public). That plus he treats his guests, whatever their politics, pretty fair and at the same time not too seriously - that's a combination not found anywhere else:)
12 - REkz
re: Name Change --
Jon Stewart Liebowitz, eh? Interesting. I also have a Jewish name (sounds Jewish & Russian), and been considering changing it for my forthcoming anti-Hollywood stardom. (Liebowitz is actually Polish, and if his name ended in "icz" (or often in the USA "ich") it'd be Christian, and "itz" is Jewish. I know b/c my name's the same way.)
Is it b/c of anti-semitism, which is rampant in the USA and Europe (and many other places)? Nope.
Will I hide that I'm Jewish? Nope.
I give you the #1 reason a US Star Changes their Jewish name: MARKETING
It's that simple. Jon Stewart can be Jewish, Jon Stewart Liebowitz can be Jewish, but which sounds 'cooler'?
We just live in a monosyllabic America, and if your name is too long
-- you ain't gonna be a star.
13 - gonzo marx
like...Schwartzeneggar?
just messing with ya
Excelsior!
14 - Scott Butki
Oh I'm sorry I missed that exchange. And I usually watch that show religiously too.