The best comedy is often social commentary. It is funny because it is so true. The best comedians have a way of pointing out our personal and societal idiosyncrasies, prejudices, and hypocrisies in ways that make us laugh. The tragedy may be we often don’t realize how true our jokes really are.
Enter the comedic world of politics. It is often difficult for me to believe how our praise for our candidate and our critiques of the other candidate are almost exactly the same! Last night’s RNC was only the latest example of this. Sarah Palin’s executive experience was praised over and above that of Barack Obama at every opportunity. You would think everyone had forgotten that John McCain has zero executive experience as well. Sarah Palin may have just emerged as the most experienced politician in this race. I mean really, are we serious?
These are only the most current examples. It is not unique to either side, and neither side is exempt from it. I just don’t know how we continue to take these people seriously. Both sides continue to tell half-truths, that everyone who is paying attention know are lies. Is this the best way to move forward? How about next time the candidates exhibit this characteristic behavior, instead of giving them an ovation, we all roar with laughter? Is this a comedy or a tragedy?
Groucho Marx would say, “Those are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.”
September 4, 2008
Comedy, Tragedy, & Politics
Posted by Tyler Savage under Interesting Happenings | Tags: Comedy, Politics, Social Commentary |Leave a Comment
The best comedy is often social commentary. It is funny because it is so true. The best comedians have a way of pointing out our personal and societal idiosyncrasies, prejudices, and hypocrisies in ways that make us laugh. The tragedy may be we often don’t realize how true our jokes really are.
Enter the comedic world of politics. It is often difficult for me to believe how our praise for our candidate and our critiques of the other candidate are almost exactly the same! Last night’s RNC was only the latest example of this. Sarah Palin’s executive experience was praised over and above that of Barack Obama at every opportunity. You would think everyone had forgotten that John McCain has zero executive experience as well. Sarah Palin may have just emerged as the most experienced politician in this race. I mean really, are we serious?
These are only the most current examples. It is not unique to either side, and neither side is exempt from it. I just don’t know how we continue to take these people seriously. Both sides continue to tell half-truths, that everyone who is paying attention know are lies. Is this the best way to move forward? How about next time the candidates exhibit this characteristic behavior, instead of giving them an ovation, we all roar with laughter? Is this a comedy or a tragedy?
Groucho Marx would say, “Those are my principles. If you don’t like them, I have others.”