11 Responses to “What’s so funny about Obama?”

1. dane Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

   Yeah – don’t expect to see “Little Obama” on Comedy Central anytime soon. But it does point out just how all these folks are in the tank for Obama. Guess it’s tough to think up funny lines when you feel a tingle up your leg.

2. SteveH Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

   Obama has all the signs of being our first special olympian president. You can’t laugh at him or critique his accomplishments. You can only admire him for overcoming such a burdened existence, while still holding his head up (way up as a matter of fact) in the face of all the insurmountable odds that evil capitalist white people have put in his way.

   Its like half the country has morphed into a bunch of gullible 5th graders that’ll fall for any cheesy narrative the teacher (MSM) puts in front of them.

3. Assistant Village Idiot Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

   Paragraph 7: “…reveals deep national reluctance toward mocking a leader in crisis and toward discussing race.”

   That interpretation by the journalist is a complete crock, though I suspect it is believed by many. Americans are not deeply reluctant toward mocking a leader in crisis or discussing race. A minority of Americans refuse to hear anything they don’t like on the subjects and will try to ruin you for it – that’s not the same thing.

   Comedians also self-censor these things. Their job is to be in touch with what their patrons think is funny, and they sense this acutely. Fairness and balance do not enter into it. Perhaps this will dawn on entertainers during Obama’s tenure, and they will at least recognise that their function is not the noble one of pricking the powerful, but the morally neutral one of giving the audience what it wants to hear.

   I wouldn’t take bets on that, though. Maybe Leno.

4. Giles Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

   It’s impossible to be politically correct and comedic at the same time. South Park is able to pull off comedy quite well because of its lack of respect for what is acceptable in today’s race-and-religion-obsessed culture. If it is not acceptable to make fun of someone who simply appears different, then it is not acceptable to make fun of anyone. That’s the South Park way, and these comedians should be prepared to sacrifice their rapport with vocal minority groups and instead choose to entertain, not coddle.

   - G

5. Giles Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

   SteveH,

   With respect, your allegation of supposed elementary-school thinking is false. The Fox channel has consistently proven that we as a nation are dumber than fifth graders.

   -G

6. Paul Gordon Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

   I think the real problem is that Obama himself does not appear to have a trace of a sense of humor (occasionally taking cheap shots at others does NOT qualify as one).

   This is a symptom of someone too full of himself and taking himself FAR too seriously. In such a case, if others do not take him as seriously, they appear as enemies that must be dealt with, one way or another.

   This is the ugly and not-so-funny side of narcissism.

   -

7. Gringo Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm

   Giles: Not just the Fox Channel. It wasn’t labeled the Boob Tube, nor the Idiot Box for no reason whatsoever.

8. Occam's Beard Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

   The LA Times is, as usual, full of crap. The problem is the cowardice/liberalism of the comics, period.

   He … didn’t have a strange job before his political rise (former peanut farmer Jimmy Carter).

   Community organizer isn’t a strange job? Who the hell knows what a “community organizer” is, or does? What’s the difference, exactly, between a “community organizer” and a gang leader (except everyone knows what a gang leader actually does)?

   He doesn’t fall down (Gerald Ford).

   Not yet, but he does struggle to open windows – and in the White House, no less. And those ears…comedy gold

   He is not regarded as aging or forgetful (Ronald Reagan).

   Forgetting how many states there are doesn’t count as forgetful?

   He hasn’t been dubbed a “wimp” (George H.W. Bush).

   This just proves that they haven’t read my posts here. Obama is a weakling. Period. He grovels to those he views as formidable (assorted hairball dictators), but ruthlessly hammers the defenseless (e.g., Chrysler bondholders).

   He is not tainted by scandal (Clinton).

   OK, no BJs that we know about, but what about Ayers, Wright, Rezko, and Blagojevich? He’s not exactly Mr. Clean.

   He doesn’t stumble over the English language (George W. Bush).

   Pardon me, but there must be two Barack Obamas, because the one I’ve seen – when off the teleprompter – makes George Bush sound like Cicero.

   The 44th president’s elusiveness as a comic target is more than just superficial, however, and reveals deep national reluctance toward mocking a leader in crisis…

   When did this deep national reluctance toward mocking a leader in crisis kick in, anyway? January 20th? What the hell were the liberals doing the last seven years, or did 9/11 not count as a crisis?

   and toward discussing race.

   Ah, now we get to the crux of the matter. The comics don’t have the balls to mock Obama because he’s black, and a leftist to boot. That’s why Obama gets a skip.

   Much of humor’s punch derives from the humbling of the mighty, but that card has, for now, been greatly diminished in the wake of the financial meltdown.

   Totally disingenuous crap. The financial meltdown is a trifle compared to the terrorist attacks. Even liberals should be able to see that.

   Sorry, LAT. I’m waiting impatiently for yet another liberal-infested MSM dinosaur to lumber toward the pool for a cool refreshing drink of water…without noticing the tar below. Their death bellows will be music to my ears.

9. CV Says:
   May 5th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

   Although I scoffed at Eric Holder’s now infamous comment that on the subject of race we are a nation of cowards…

   in this particular area he might be right.

   Comedians are reluctant to make jokes at Obama’s expense partly because he is black (also applies to audiences who are reluctant to laugh at him for the same reason) and partly because most comedians, comedy writers etc. have bought into the general media-driven love fest for President Christ Superstar.

   What I find maddening is how Obama himself is happy to play up or play down his race as it suits his purposes. Color-blind he ain’t.

10. Assistant Village Idiot Says:
    May 6th, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Paul Gordon is correct – The ability to laugh at oneself is a proxy for general emotional health and maturity. People who don’t have that ability are likely to be vindictive sorts.

11. Paul Gordon Says:
    May 7th, 2009 at 12:24 am

    Thanks, AVI – A sense of humor helps one to stay balanced and sane.

    Unfortunately for Obama, if he doesn’t have have one, it ain’t some thing that he can just run down to Wal-Mart and purchase.

    Believe it or not; of all of his failings and shortcomings, I think THIS one may be the most dangerous.

    -

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