"Freedom" thread or something

There it is - I was looking for this quote before, and I couldn't find it because I forgot how it was worded:
“What are you so mad about? That we still have a government? We still have “traffic lights.” We’re sorry. The government’s not perfect, but some people wish it was better, not gone.”
- Jon Stewart

dtguitarfan wrote: There it is - I was looking for this quote before, and I couldn't find it because I forgot how it was worded: “What are you so mad about? That we still have a government? We still have “traffic lights.” We’re sorry. The government’s not perfect, but some people wish it was better, not gone.” - Jon Stewart

Stewart used to be funny as hell, he really went to sh*t after becoming another talking head, granted he still incorporated humor...but it was never the same. He's just another pundit now :( Anywho MoM beat me to it. Limiting government IS the only way to fix it. Believe me, for years I was a socialist then later social Democrat...i spent so much time trying to think of realistic  ways to "fix" it I couldn't find any.  Or has anyone given me any answers. Please, sincerely if you have some man lemme hear. It was part of my conversion...we can't fix it, it must be limited. Besides, the people we hate the most as progressives are who run thr government!! Most lefties know this but say "this is why must fix that" but how?? It gets circular. Also government is, by its nature, use of force, so how can we average joes ever fix a system of legal force? The rich and powerful will always beat us since they are rich and powerful. We can only try to limit their scope.

manofmystery wrote: It's hard to win with the blissfully ignorant.

I hope you're not implying Mr. Stewart is ignorant.

JJLehto wrote: Stewart used to be funny as hell, he really went to sh*t after becoming another talking head, granted he still incorporated humor...but it was never the same. He's just another pundit now :(

Just?  JUST?  Granted, not every show is comedic gold, but I am a regular follower these days (before I would just occasionally tune in), and he is much more than JUST a talking head.  Watching his, and Colbert's, shows are truly educational.  Not every show is laugh out loud funny - I mean, it kind of depends on what stories he is running.  But there have been some really funny ones.

I'm not just saying they are educational because I'm a fan who doesn't know anything about the news of the day.  Since the elections, I have taken it much more seriously than before to try to be as educated as possible about what's going on, because of some of the insane reactions of friends of mine.  So I read news from many sources - reading multiple articles about the same stories so I can see what both sides are saying, and researching to find the truth behind it when it's a debate I'm more interested in.  And Stewart and Colbert continually surprise me on how they will point out things I missed.  What they bring is truly invaluable.

^He does.  He was just saying that Stewart and Colbert help point out things to him that he didn't realize when doing his own research.

JJLehto wrote: Sheesh, typical leftie response. I'm immune to it now. If something not positive is within a paragraph of Stewart the left goes completely ballistic. I've talked about it to death over the years so sorry, got nothing left in the tank. He's better than almost all pundits, BTW I still consider Colbert a comedian (damn funny one) that just political humor, but Stewart is still bland now. I'd gladly take him over most news sources and pundits, but I don't use any. The internet and my brain has been great. Edit: He has been fair. Ron Paul getting any talk was a miracle, and from what I know Stewart was neutral/informative about him if not generally positive. Same with Rachel Maddow, it's Fox ironically (or not) that really showed their hideous bias.

And Stewart is making Chris Christie a favorite for 2016 these days as well....

I don't think there is any confusing here - everyone (ie most americans and everyone living outside the USA who knows who they are) knows they are political satire. What is your point?

dtguitarfan wrote: manofmystery wrote: It's hard to win with the blissfully ignorant. I hope you're not implying Mr. Stewart is ignorant.

dtguitarfan wrote: I'm not just saying they are educational because I'm a fan who doesn't know anything about the news of the day. Since the elections, I have taken it much more seriously than before to try to be as educated as possible about what's going on, because of some of the insane reactions of friends of mine. So I read news from many sources - reading multiple articles about the same stories so I can see what both sides are saying, and researching to find the truth behind it when it's a debate I'm more interested in. And Stewart and Colbert continually surprise me on how they will point out things I missed. What they bring is truly invaluable.

horsewithteeth11 wrote: You do realize that people like Stewart and Colbert run news satires, and aren't news anchors themselves, right? It's basically a less ridiculous and more realistic version of The Onion.

The T wrote: dtguitarfan wrote: horsewithteeth11 wrote: You do realize that people like Stewart and Colbert run news satires, and aren't news anchors themselves, right? It's basically a less ridiculous and more realistic version of The Onion. So?  Doesn't mean they're not helping to expose the truth.  Whether you like them or not, you have to wonder why this is:http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/200907/why-jon-stewart-is-the-most-trusted-man-in-america A Psychology Today article that is not an actual paper on a research hold little value as evidence (even scientific research on the subject -if it can be done- wouldn't be irrefutable evidence). It is just somebody else's opinion. Nothing else. The reason he's so well trusted is because other (or proper) news anchors have gone down in quality and because audiences in general are made of cynic sarcastic people who can't trust anyone who is not appearing to "pwn" the opposition. Also, he's rather more likeable than your average news anchor or pundit. Compare him to an angry neocon as Krauthammer and you'll see.

Fine.  Go google "Stewart most trusted name in news" and pick a source you like.  I picked that article because, being a psychology driven source, it had an interesting take on the story.


Edited by dtguitarfan - January 19 2013 at 14:39

Stewart is a buffoon one or two steps above Ed Schultz, Bill Maher, Lawrence O Donnell, or Chris Matthews, who are the 4 biggest dicks on TV imo. 

An example of a genuinely nice pundit on the Left whom I respect greatly, because he is civil and because he actually knows something, is the wonderful Mark Shields.  I'd like to buy that man a drink.  I also like Clarence Page, a stand-up liberal who knows his stuff. 

A force eh?  Whatever you say Geoff.