Some interesting quotes from a recent article (and news report) that describes how bloggers are pushing the limits and attracting attention with their controversial points of view, includes: “…sarcasm sells…” and “…shooting things down is easier than building things up…”
The popularity of the Comedy channel’s “The Colbert Report” is proof that a satirist who parodies other news channels and politics in general can attract a significant audience.
And, most news channel programs clearly choose guests that support the extreme points of view of an argument/issue. For example, in one recent debate, a statement was made regarding the fact that our current president is the first president to have to juggle so many major issues at the same time. Another person countered that it is not a coincidence, or bad luck, but that the president is the one responsible for causing so many problems all at the same time.
Our current president, politicians, and news stories in general, are all the main fodder of most late night talk show comedians, just see “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” ‘ Funnies section which picks out the best jokes each week.
And now there is the more controversial ad mocking our President’s intelligence. While getting mixed reviews, it does appear to be generating the attention as it was intended.
While I would never want to find myself as the punch line of any of these jokes, I do find many of these jokes to be based on some degree of truth and to be quite funny. And, I must applaud the comedians who take a chance and walk that fine line between what is appropriate and what is not. This is a line that I know I can’t walk, and one that I choose not to walk either.
I prefer to walk a path best represented by a quote from Victoria Gray Adam, a civil rights activist that passed away this month (as highlighted in the 8.20.06 ‘This Week’ In Memoriam). Her response to the statement: ‘ You can’t legislate love’, is that : ‘No you can’t, but you can legislate an atmosphere where love can happen.’
