Jon Stewart is not enough

[unrepentant progress]

I have spent many years deriding the right, and I have to admit, it has been a hoot. The conservative world is an endless shooting gallery of hypocrites, con men, narcissists, and walking examples of this or that species of cognitive malfunction. In fact, whacking the wingers is such a fun pastime that it is ballooning in popularity these days: The crazy right now furnishes reliable material for our generation’s best comedians, and laughing at the benighted japes of the GOPers is, for many of us, the closest we come to real political involvement.

Today let’s try a little introspection instead. What does it mean when being “on the left” is defined as being a fan of extremely partisan entertainment? What does it do to our larger political vision when we confine our political thinking to the crafting of hilarious put-downs of Tea Partiers and right-wing reality-doubters?

The answer is simple: We miss a substantial chunk of political reality ourselves.

Full essay: http://www.salon.com/2014/08/10/jon_stewart_is_not_enough_the_curse_of_centrism_and_why_the_tea_party_keeps_rolling_daily_show_democrats

[Nitram]

1. I wouldn't call Stewart's comedy "extremely partisan entertainment."

I'd call it insightful commentary on "extremely partisan points of view."

[unrepentant progress]

2. That's rather missing the point

Hint: It's not a critique of Jon Stewart. It's a critique of you, and me.

[Nitram]

3. I got that and reject the charge.

[rhett o rick]

4. I get it and I accept the charge. nm