Sunday, September 26, 2010

The Sad State of Congress

They don't get satire.

Huff Post:

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md) was neither humored nor pleased with Stephen Colbert's recent testimony before the House Judiciary committee's subcommittee on immigration, calling it an embarrassment for the Comedy Central host.

"I think his testimony was not appropriate," said Hoyer, during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday." "I think it was an embarrassment for Mr. Colbert more than the House."

"You asked me, Chris [Wallace] whether the testimony was appropriate," he added. "I think it was not appropriate."


At least Nancy Pelosi gets it.

"He's an American, right?" said Pelosi. "He came before the committee. He has a point of view. He can bring attention to an important issue like immigration. I think it's great."

Colbert is a satirist and very good one at that. What he did in front of Congress was point out the absurdity of the Republicans and (some) the Democrats arguments. Sometimes the truth is hard to swallow especially when you are the butt of the joke. Hoyer not appreciating Colbert's style reflects more on his inability as a leader more than anything else.

I think Colbert's appearance before Congress was refreshing and he actually did make a point. He broke down the right's paranoid, fear the brown people rhetoric while pointing out the ineptitude of Democrats in Congress. He was brought in to disprove a common thread amongst the right wing: illegal immigrants are stealing jobs and are free-loaders. Immigrants legal or not are an intricate part of the farming industry in America. Colbert conveyed that which is no small feat and I applaud that.

I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

1 comment:

Asian-American Pundit said...

Will do! Thanks for stopping by!