Stephen Colbert speaks in front of the House Committee on Immigration and Agriculture

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

It sounds like both were a waste of time and money.

Colbert paid his own way.

So it cost them water and mic power for 5 minutes.

Informing more people=waste of time and money

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

So having more people discussing the issue and perhaps putting a light on issues people were not aware of is a bad thing?

I think more people are discussing Steven Colbert and their faviourite zinger. Nobody is talking about the issues behind this situation. Steven's little speech didn't address why the problem exists or why congress is divide on how to deal with it.

Originally Posted by SeeBass

In your opinion these experts would just come to the right choices, cause they have been sooo good at doing that in the past when the public is not paying attention.

The experts I was talking about were migrant workers and their employers. Perhaps a few citizens of these border communities and a Governer of a border State might help as well.

Also, the "experts" don't make the choices or write the laws; Congress does. If Colbert didn't sway any of them or at least provide them with new information he changed nothing.

Originally Posted by SeeBass

For shame that more people are watching what there goverment is doing for shame. Nothing good can come from that.

If it took a comedian for them to look I'm betting they won't be watching for long.

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Great post pal you really though that out.

We are not pals.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

We are not pals.

I'm not your buddy, guy.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by SeeBass

Colbert paid his own way.

So it cost them water and mic power for 5 minutes.

Informing more people=waste of time and money

American tax payers pay to have those hearings. The Representatives, their staff, the security, and even the filming was/is done at tax payers expense.

Now kindly show me where this effort has improved these illegal imigrants lives or given relief to these border States who suffer from the expenses incurred by the illegals being there.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Colbert no doubt had good intentions but, he added very little to the debate.

People are talking about it now. Mission accomplished.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by troutman

People are talking about it now. Mission accomplished.

People started talking about it several months back when Arizona tried to pass their immigration law.

[Devils'Advocate]

It's funny. A comedian speaking on an issue is seen as "a waste of time". But in the past entertainers were looked to as commentators on the issues of the time. From Shakespeare to Bob Dylan, artists were seen not as entertainers, but a means of getting people to think about the issues of the day.

Now artists are seen as "a waste of time and money".

Stephen is a comedian, but his brand of comedy is also political commentary and carries weight. People in this thread are putting him league with CarrotTop.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Rockin' Flames

People started talking about it several months back when Arizona tried to pass their immigration law.

And in true modern fashion, much like Iran, few people care anymore. It's like we have the attention span of a goldfish. You can't fault Colbert for bringing it back to the forefront. Blame the tax payers for not standing up and dealing with the issue in the first place.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

It's funny. A comedian speaking on an issue is seen as "a waste of time". But in the past entertainers were looked to as commentators on the issues of the time. From Shakespeare to Bob Dylan, artists were seen not as entertainers, but a means of getting people to think about the issues of the day.

Now artists are seen as "a waste of time and money".

Stephen is a comedian, but his brand of comedy is also political commentary and carries weight. People in this thread are putting him league with CarrotTop.

Colbert swaying public opinion through his comedy is what he does. I'm fine with that. I happen to like his comedy despite his political bent. My issue is that he does it for one particular party and it was disrepectful of the Democrats to invite him to a government commitee meeting. Also, it demonstrates loudly that the Democrats aren't looking for common ground but rather, theatrics.

It would be like the Republicans inviting Ann Coulter in to discuss the cost of Illegal immigrants. I find her funny and she is more qualified than Colbert to discuss the issues around illegal immigrants.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by troutman

People are talking about it now. Mission accomplished.

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Nobody is talking about the issues behind this situation. Steven's little speech didn't address why the problem exists or why congress is divide on how to deal with it.

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Did Colbert say anything that wasn't already being said by experts? I doubt it. Did Colbert comment on the cost of providing citizenship for these illegals? Did Colbert discuss the morality of providing citizenship for illegal immigrant workers when their are tens of thousands of people who have applied through legal channels who are waiting and hoping to get in? Did Colbert discuss the costs already being paid by these border States because the Feds refuse to enforce their immigration laws?

Also, this is rather interesting....

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Now kindly show me where this effort has improved these illegal imigrants lives or given relief to these border States who suffer from the expenses incurred by the illegals being there.

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Colbert swaying public opinion through his comedy is what he does. I'm fine with that. I happen to like his comedy despite his political bent.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Also, this is rather interesting....

Perhaps you should reread my posts a little slower. It might improve your comprehension. I have been consistant in what i've been saying.

[Rockin' Flames]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

And in true modern fashion, much like Iran, few people care anymore. It's like we have the attention span of a goldfish. You can't fault Colbert for bringing it back to the forefront. Blame the tax payers for not standing up and dealing with the issue in the first place.

Likewise give this a week or two and people won't be talking about it once again. Can't say I blame the tax payers (voters maybe). This one lands solely at the feet of the politicians (both Republican and Democrats) who have not dealt with this for years.

Living on a border town myself I have got to say I really hope they deal with not only the illegal immigration issue but look at there legal immigration methods as well as securing the border (with Mexico).

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Colbert swaying public opinion through his comedy is what he does. I'm fine with that. I happen to like his comedy despite his political bent. My issue is that he does it for one particular party and it was disrepectful of the Democrats to invite him to a government commitee meeting. Also, it demonstrates loudly that the Democrats aren't looking for common ground but rather, theatrics.

It would be like the Republicans inviting Ann Coulter in to discuss the cost of Illegal immigrants. I find her funny and she is more qualified than Colbert to discuss the issues around illegal immigrants.

Really? If Colbert was the pawn of the Democrats that you say he is, then why did Rahm Emanuel tell Democrats to not appear on the show?

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Really? If Colbert was the pawn of the Democrats that you say he is, then why did Rahm Emanuel tell Democrats to not appear on the show?

I don't know why Rahm would say that. I do know that Democrats do go on his show.

If you watch Steven's show at all you know that he plays the part of a Republican for satire. He is really good at keeping in his character. i don't watch everyday but, I do like the show.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Yikes, dead room Steven! These guys don't have a single funny bone in their bodies.

the room was actually laughing it up pretty good, they just turn all the other mics off when a person is speaking. you can hear it just as he finishes and the other mics get turned back on, lots of laughter

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

I don't know why Rahm would say that. I do know that Democrats do go on his show.

If you watch Steven's show at all you know that he plays the part of a Republican for satire. He is really good at keeping in his character. i don't watch everyday but, I do like the show.

Republicans also go on his show, and what most critics of his and Stewart's miss is that they rag on the Democrats almost as much. they appeal to the middle ground American who are sick of the severe political bent on the left and the right. Colbert's character is just as much Olbermann as it is O'Rielly

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Colbert swaying public opinion through his comedy is what he does. I'm fine with that. I happen to like his comedy despite his political bent. My issue is that he does it for one particular party and it was disrepectful of the Democrats to invite him to a government commitee meeting. Also, it demonstrates loudly that the Democrats aren't looking for common ground but rather, theatrics.

It would be like the Republicans inviting Ann Coulter in to discuss the cost of Illegal immigrants. I find her funny and she is more qualified than Colbert to discuss the issues around illegal immigrants.

did you miss the post above yours stating that a Republican had a muppet testifying before congress? this is what i hate most about both sides (Democrat and Republican), they rag on the other side for doing the same crap that they themselves do

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Republicans also go on his show, and what most critics of his and Stewart's miss is that they rag on the Democrats almost as much. they appeal to the middle ground American who are sick of the severe political bent on the left and the right. Colbert's character is just as much Olbermann as it is O'Rielly

Colbert's character is a right wing Republican. I don't know how you can deny that. Sure Republicans go on his show. Nobody has told them not to. Stewart rags on the Democrats when they aren't left enough.

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

did you miss the post above yours stating that a Republican had a muppet testifying before congress? this is what i hate most about both sides (Democrat and Republican), they rag on the other side for doing the same crap that they themselves do

Yes I did read that post. I have already responded to this. Firstly the Republican was wrong to play to the cameras by bringing Elmo in to testify. Secondly, Elmo unlike Steven Colbert is not known for political satire. Again it would be like a Republican controlled commitee asking Ann Coulter to testify in her entertaining style.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Yes I did read that post. I have already responded to this. Firstly the Republican was wrong to play to the cameras by bringing Elmo in to testify. Secondly, Elmo unlike Steven Colbert is not known for political satire. Again it would be like a Republican controlled commitee asking Ann Coulter to testify in her entertaining style.

except Coulter tries her best to make everyone think she's serious. i don't think you could ever accuse Colbert of trying to do the same

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

except Coulter tries her best to make everyone think she's serious. i don't think you could ever accuse Colbert of trying to do the same

True. Coulter is far more crude and extreme than Colbert as well. My point is that Elmo isn't political at all. Elmo doesn't make fun of either political party. He shouldn't have been used because the committee's function isn't to entertain but, Elmo offends no one.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

True. Coulter is far more crude and extreme than Colbert as well. My point is that Elmo isn't political at all. Elmo doesn't make fun of either political party. He shouldn't have been used because the committee's function isn't to entertain but, Elmo offends no one.

Elmo offends me. I have a very strong anti-muppet stance. I hate him with every fiber of my soul.