The Daily Show's take on Libya and other Mideast unrest
March 22, 2011 4:21 AM Subscribe
Jon Stewart's The Daily Show came back from a 1 week hiatus last night, and took on Libya and other Mideast conflicts. Aasif Mandvi explains that America is merely enabling a no-fly zone to encourage Libyan leadership's self-relocation. John Oliver demonstrates how America's freedom packages will turn any country's civil war into a catastro-tunity.
It's comedic satire with some stinging truth - sorry, may not be available online outside of the United States.
It's comedic satire with some stinging truth - sorry, may not be available online outside of the United States.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Er, it's the Daily Show; barring something really truly extraordinary going on with the show, we really don't need need a post made only of links to clips from it. -- cortex
Jon Stewart went on vacation, and both the Japanese earthquake/tsunami and Libya happened during the hiatus. I'm pretty sure other such "coincidences" have happened during previous hiatuses. There must be some way Congress can pass a law preventing him from going on hiatus.
posted by explosion at 4:42 AM on March 22, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by explosion at 4:42 AM on March 22, 2011 [3 favorites]
Jon Stewart went on vacation, and both the Japanese earthquake/tsunami and Libya happened during the hiatus. I'm pretty sure other such "coincidences" have happened during previous hiatuses. There must be some way Congress can pass a law preventing him from going on hiatus.
Yeah, Katrina hit. IIRC, He was on vacation when Gabby Giffords got shot.
posted by delmoi at 4:46 AM on March 22, 2011
Yeah, Katrina hit. IIRC, He was on vacation when Gabby Giffords got shot.
posted by delmoi at 4:46 AM on March 22, 2011
It's comedic satire with some stinging truth - sorry, may not be available online outside of the United States.
It's not necessary. Outside of the United States the comedic satire of the Obama administration comes through without any help from Mr. Stewart.
The George Bush in blackface act is wearing a bit thin though.
posted by three blind mice at 4:54 AM on March 22, 2011
It's not necessary. Outside of the United States the comedic satire of the Obama administration comes through without any help from Mr. Stewart.
The George Bush in blackface act is wearing a bit thin though.
posted by three blind mice at 4:54 AM on March 22, 2011
"Yeah, Katrina hit. IIRC, He was on vacation when Gabby Giffords got shot."
Shouldn't we use the "Murder She Wrote" theory? That during these hiatuses, Jon Stewart and/or the crew of the Daily Show are the causes of these horrific events?
Too soon?
posted by X-Himy at 4:56 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Shouldn't we use the "Murder She Wrote" theory? That during these hiatuses, Jon Stewart and/or the crew of the Daily Show are the causes of these horrific events?
Too soon?
posted by X-Himy at 4:56 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
The George Bush in blackface act is wearing a bit thin though.
George Bush in Blackface? Really? Why not just call him jive-talkin' while you're at it?
posted by delmoi at 4:56 AM on March 22, 2011 [9 favorites]
George Bush in Blackface? Really? Why not just call him jive-talkin' while you're at it?
posted by delmoi at 4:56 AM on March 22, 2011 [9 favorites]
May cause side effects. John Oliver has been doing some good coverage in The Bugle, including taking credit for Mubarak's downfall.
posted by arcticseal at 5:00 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticseal at 5:00 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyway I'm fine with military intervention when it's 1) Clearly to benefit human rights (even if there ancillary things like Libya's oil) and 2) has UN sanction.
The other important thing is that unlike Iraq there was a clear, recent even to trigger the attack, the uprising. Which was about to get crushed. In Iraq things were stable, and we basically said FU to the U.N.
Beyond that, the I'm finding the sudden freakout over Libya from people like Andrew Sullivan, who were practically wetting themselves over the uprisings in North Africa and the middle east is kind of weird.
posted by delmoi at 5:01 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
The other important thing is that unlike Iraq there was a clear, recent even to trigger the attack, the uprising. Which was about to get crushed. In Iraq things were stable, and we basically said FU to the U.N.
Beyond that, the I'm finding the sudden freakout over Libya from people like Andrew Sullivan, who were practically wetting themselves over the uprisings in North Africa and the middle east is kind of weird.
posted by delmoi at 5:01 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
The George Bush in blackface act is wearing a bit thin though.
VOTE NADER in 2012!!
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 5:02 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
VOTE NADER in 2012!!
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 5:02 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
John Oliver was recently on The Nerdist Podcast and talks a little about the "behind the scenes" of The Daily Show and how he was brought on board (Ricky Gervais recommended him -- and the job was his first time in America).
posted by starman at 5:04 AM on March 22, 2011
posted by starman at 5:04 AM on March 22, 2011
Available outside of the United States.
Not in the UK, FWIW.
posted by MessageInABottle at 5:06 AM on March 22, 2011
Not in the UK, FWIW.
posted by MessageInABottle at 5:06 AM on March 22, 2011
Not really sure why you thought this need featuring on the front page. It's pretty much typical fare for the Daily Show, isn't it?
posted by crunchland at 5:24 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by crunchland at 5:24 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
George Bush in Blackface? Really? Why not just call him jive-talkin' while you're at it?
Because that would be too nice. From the first link:
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Said the one term Senator from Illinois.
George Bush at least bothered to obtain approval from Congress before launching a military assault on a nation that posed no threat to the United States. George Bush at least made his case (however flawed) to the nation that military action against Iraq was justified by the (false) imminent threat. Obama did not do either. He didn't even address the nation.
Come to think of it, comparing Obama to George Bush at all might be too kind.
posted by three blind mice at 5:24 AM on March 22, 2011
Because that would be too nice. From the first link:
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Said the one term Senator from Illinois.
George Bush at least bothered to obtain approval from Congress before launching a military assault on a nation that posed no threat to the United States. George Bush at least made his case (however flawed) to the nation that military action against Iraq was justified by the (false) imminent threat. Obama did not do either. He didn't even address the nation.
Come to think of it, comparing Obama to George Bush at all might be too kind.
posted by three blind mice at 5:24 AM on March 22, 2011
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”That has nothing to do with using racist terminology just because you don't like the guy.
posted by delmoi at 5:27 AM on March 22, 2011
I like them when they go a little bit extreme. When they bite.
posted by Baldons at 5:27 AM on March 22, 2011
posted by Baldons at 5:27 AM on March 22, 2011
The George Bush in blackface act is wearing a bit thin though.
I actually thought you were talking about Colbert.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:29 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
I actually thought you were talking about Colbert.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:29 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]
meh... slightly comedic, hardly stinging satire. Also, delmoi, enough with the indignation.
posted by ReWayne at 5:30 AM on March 22, 2011
posted by ReWayne at 5:30 AM on March 22, 2011
delmoi, enough with the indignation.Pardon me for offending your sensitivities, ReWayne.
posted by delmoi at 5:33 AM on March 22, 2011
Do we really need a FPP to announce "Hey, guys, there's a new Daily Show episode!"
posted by EarBucket at 5:34 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by EarBucket at 5:34 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
The other important thing is that unlike Iraq there was a clear, recent even to trigger the attack, the uprising. Which was about to get crushed. In Iraq things were stable, and we basically said FU to the U.N.
It would have been quite shameful if the U.S. stood by for the slaughter that would eventually have befallen this major uprising against our passenger airplane-bombing longtime enemy.
posted by knoyers at 5:36 AM on March 22, 2011
It would have been quite shameful if the U.S. stood by for the slaughter that would eventually have befallen this major uprising against our passenger airplane-bombing longtime enemy.
posted by knoyers at 5:36 AM on March 22, 2011
Oh c'mon. This war is fun to watch, right? Finally we got a proper insane bad guy. There was a missed opportunity in calling it a "coalition" instead of "the rebel alliance", but other than that, it's great television.
Oh. Sorry. I meant this is a great humanitarian action to support the Libyan rebels to rightfully topple their batshit insane Brother Leader. For their sake, I genuinely hope that something good will come out of all this.
posted by Harry at 5:41 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
Oh. Sorry. I meant this is a great humanitarian action to support the Libyan rebels to rightfully topple their batshit insane Brother Leader. For their sake, I genuinely hope that something good will come out of all this.
posted by Harry at 5:41 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
Not really sure why you thought this need featuring on the front page. It's pretty much typical fare for the Daily Show, isn't it?
These bits are—even for the daily show—exceptionally laser-focused scathing indictments of US policy broadcast to millions.
It's kind of funny how it really is the biggest alternative, critically thinking news source in American Media, all because it's got the shelter of "we're just a comedy show" plausible deniability.
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:43 AM on March 22, 2011
These bits are—even for the daily show—exceptionally laser-focused scathing indictments of US policy broadcast to millions.
It's kind of funny how it really is the biggest alternative, critically thinking news source in American Media, all because it's got the shelter of "we're just a comedy show" plausible deniability.
posted by Jon_Evil at 5:43 AM on March 22, 2011
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”
Congress approved the UN charter. Acting in accordance with a UN resolution isn't unilateral.
posted by shakespeherian at 5:44 AM on March 22, 2011 [9 favorites]
Congress approved the UN charter. Acting in accordance with a UN resolution isn't unilateral.
posted by shakespeherian at 5:44 AM on March 22, 2011 [9 favorites]
VOTE NADER in 2012!!
Don't worry, I plan to. (After primarying Obama a few months before. Because that's what they always tell me is supposed to fix the system somehow.)
posted by DU at 5:45 AM on March 22, 2011
Don't worry, I plan to. (After primarying Obama a few months before. Because that's what they always tell me is supposed to fix the system somehow.)
posted by DU at 5:45 AM on March 22, 2011
I thought that the interview with Sarah Vowell was much better.
She's adorable and her voice is adorable. Her voice is an anthropomorphic, crotchety stuffed bear that I want to hug with every fiber of my being.
posted by Rinku at 5:45 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
She's adorable and her voice is adorable. Her voice is an anthropomorphic, crotchety stuffed bear that I want to hug with every fiber of my being.
posted by Rinku at 5:45 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
It's kind of funny how it really is the biggest alternative, critically thinking news source in American Media
What about democracy now? Too bad they're not cracking jokes when they do their "stinging" reports and "laser-focused scathing indictments."
posted by ReWayne at 5:47 AM on March 22, 2011
What about democracy now? Too bad they're not cracking jokes when they do their "stinging" reports and "laser-focused scathing indictments."
posted by ReWayne at 5:47 AM on March 22, 2011
What about democracy now?
He said biggest.
There was an interview with John Oliver a while ago where he said the jokes wouldn't really make sense if you didn't somehow keep up with the news (via the internet, person to person gossip, or whatever)
I don't really know how true that is, but I do sometimes learn things from TDS that I didn't know prior. When Stewart actually wants to explain something, he does a pretty good job. The problem, though, is when he tries to explain something you already know. In that case, it's not really that entertaining.
But the idea that it's only riffing on the news and not really providing raw information isn't that accurate.
posted by delmoi at 5:53 AM on March 22, 2011
He said biggest.
There was an interview with John Oliver a while ago where he said the jokes wouldn't really make sense if you didn't somehow keep up with the news (via the internet, person to person gossip, or whatever)
I don't really know how true that is, but I do sometimes learn things from TDS that I didn't know prior. When Stewart actually wants to explain something, he does a pretty good job. The problem, though, is when he tries to explain something you already know. In that case, it's not really that entertaining.
But the idea that it's only riffing on the news and not really providing raw information isn't that accurate.
posted by delmoi at 5:53 AM on March 22, 2011
Congress approved the UN charter. Acting in accordance with a UN resolution isn't unilateral.
The False Defender's of Obama's war in Libya.
".... Congress is not permitted to give its constitutional powers to another branch of the U.S. government or to foreign governmental or non-governmental entities.
The Constitution cannot be amended by statute. It cannot be amended by treaty. It cannot be amended by precedent. It cannot be amended by public opinion poll. It cannot be amended by election result. It cannot be amended by humanitarian pity. The U.S. Constitution can only be amended by the procedures set forth in Article V of the Constitution itself. "
posted by three blind mice at 6:15 AM on March 22, 2011
The False Defender's of Obama's war in Libya.
".... Congress is not permitted to give its constitutional powers to another branch of the U.S. government or to foreign governmental or non-governmental entities.
The Constitution cannot be amended by statute. It cannot be amended by treaty. It cannot be amended by precedent. It cannot be amended by public opinion poll. It cannot be amended by election result. It cannot be amended by humanitarian pity. The U.S. Constitution can only be amended by the procedures set forth in Article V of the Constitution itself. "
posted by three blind mice at 6:15 AM on March 22, 2011
Do we really need a FPP to announce "Hey, guys, there's a new Daily Show episode!"
Do we really need this comment?
posted by juiceCake at 6:16 AM on March 22, 2011
Do we really need this comment?
posted by juiceCake at 6:16 AM on March 22, 2011
... Congress is not permitted to give its constitutional powers to another branch of the U.S. government or to foreign governmental or non-governmental entities.
The Constitution cannot be amended by statute. It cannot be amended by treaty. It cannot be amended by precedent. It cannot be amended by public opinion poll. It cannot be amended by election result. It cannot be amended by humanitarian pity. The U.S. Constitution can only be amended by the procedures set forth in Article V of the Constitution itself.
The Constitution says the following:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding
posted by empath at 6:17 AM on March 22, 2011 [6 favorites]
The Constitution cannot be amended by statute. It cannot be amended by treaty. It cannot be amended by precedent. It cannot be amended by public opinion poll. It cannot be amended by election result. It cannot be amended by humanitarian pity. The U.S. Constitution can only be amended by the procedures set forth in Article V of the Constitution itself.
The Constitution says the following:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding
posted by empath at 6:17 AM on March 22, 2011 [6 favorites]
I'm pretty sure other such "coincidences" have happened during previous hiatuses.
He was also off for the passage of Health Care Reform last year. I believe my FB status at the time was "how I am supposed to find the funny in this without The Daily Show??"
Congress approved the UN charter. Acting in accordance with a UN resolution isn't unilateral.
You're kidding, right?
posted by dry white toast at 6:23 AM on March 22, 2011
He was also off for the passage of Health Care Reform last year. I believe my FB status at the time was "how I am supposed to find the funny in this without The Daily Show??"
Congress approved the UN charter. Acting in accordance with a UN resolution isn't unilateral.
You're kidding, right?
posted by dry white toast at 6:23 AM on March 22, 2011
Oh god, not Sarah Vowell.
posted by JLovebomb at 6:25 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by JLovebomb at 6:25 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
Since no one else has the guts to say it:
"Nurse, I speak jive."
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:28 AM on March 22, 2011
"Nurse, I speak jive."
posted by Poppa Bear at 6:28 AM on March 22, 2011
You're kidding, right?
Condescension is the best tool for dialog, Billy. Now go get yourself an iced cream.
posted by shakespeherian at 6:40 AM on March 22, 2011
Condescension is the best tool for dialog, Billy. Now go get yourself an iced cream.
posted by shakespeherian at 6:40 AM on March 22, 2011
The issue of the President not properly asking permission from Congress for military action is a ship that sailed away before my lifetime.
posted by knoyers at 6:40 AM on March 22, 2011
posted by knoyers at 6:40 AM on March 22, 2011
Do we really need a FPP to announce "Hey, guys, there's a new Daily Show episode!"
... which 95% of the world cannot view.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:43 AM on March 22, 2011
... which 95% of the world cannot view.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:43 AM on March 22, 2011
Yeah... I don't know why anyone is harping on the president not having authority to do this. I mean, no one ever got congressional approval for Vietnam. The president is the commander in Chief of the army, and he can order them to do whatever he wants, so long as the funding hasn't been withdrawn by congress.
According to my High school U.S. History teacher some laws were put in place after Vietnam requiring a congressional request after 90 days. Presumably bush wanted more then 90 days in Iraq and Afghanistan, thus the congressional votes.
Anyway, Obama said a lot of crap during the campaign he had no intention of honoring. That doesn't mean what he's doing is illegal, just hypocritical.
posted by delmoi at 6:47 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
According to my High school U.S. History teacher some laws were put in place after Vietnam requiring a congressional request after 90 days. Presumably bush wanted more then 90 days in Iraq and Afghanistan, thus the congressional votes.
Anyway, Obama said a lot of crap during the campaign he had no intention of honoring. That doesn't mean what he's doing is illegal, just hypocritical.
posted by delmoi at 6:47 AM on March 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
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posted by melt away at 4:31 AM on March 22, 2011