I was rather curious as-to-how Jon was going to deal with the Tucson Tragedy (I mean, look at what Ricky Gervais did with the Golden Globes [though part of me reveled in the high-priced stars getting-a-dose-of how-some-of-us apprehend them {though an awards ceremony should not be confused with a ‘Roast’}]). But Jon was dealing with death, and Ricky, why Ricky got to do some pub humor on American national television.
Jon Stewart’s poignant analyses of the larger tragedy in Americana (much larger than Ricky pissing off a few stars) brought-tears-to-my-eyes. I could think of no more fitting tribute to the victims than the processing of this tragedy by this above-the-rim (I know he’s short) pundit/comedian — delivered from his forum/platform/bully-pulpit! Hurrah Jon Stewart!! Wow!!!
Would that every sentient American could elevate our thinking so…long-time readers will remember me agreeing with Al Franken that Rush is a “big fat idiot” (I envision a “Mussolini ending” for him, unless, like Ebenezer Scrooge – Rush reforms himself). Even Stephen Colbert enjoys skewering The Big Fat Idiot – as he did the other day when China’s president was in town. I don’t know how Stephen C. handled the Tuscon tragedy – but I do know that he is quite a genius himself. I guess I could give Jon and Stephen props all-day-long, but nothing quite like the two Iranian producers of the underground Iranian Internet/satellite show “Parazit” did the other night.
It seems that these two social satirists (I’m sorry I don’t know their names) – are taking on the Iranian government with as much biting satire as they can muster – and they consider Jon S. their inspirational mentor (Jon seemed genuinely moved by their admission). And then we have Tony Blair advocating an immediate attack on Iran – because of the alleged “imminence” of their nuclear breakthrough – and Ahmadinejad’s (Ahmaghinejad to some) anti-Israel posturing (I guess Tony B. has big stakes in British Petroleum).
As anyone who has read my “Another Persian Party” knows – a good Persian party ends with Brit bashing – for the numerous times the Brits have fucked Iran over, and, it seems…if Tony B. and others of his ilk have their way – they’ll go after Iranian oil once again (under the guise of disabling Iran’s nuclear enrichment program).
But this time it seems that Iran is Russia’s bee-yaatch (not sure I got the rapper spelling right). Like North Korea is China’s bitch, it looks like Iran has a pimp to take care of Her – and this is where I wonder if World War IV will begin (let’s face it folks…low-scale World War III has been going on for-quite-some-time-now). But I don’t see an incursion into Iran playing out in similar fashion to those into Iraq and Afghanistan (or even Viet Nam).
Friend Carlos called the other day and reported that he is hearing more-and-more economists suggesting that the U.S. is headed for economic disaster – he recommended that I go ahead and buy that gold I’ve been talking about buying – to hold me through the upcoming tsunami. (Friend Carlos admitted that he’s finally seeing things the way I have been seeing them.)
But I have to think that the U.S. can pull out of the tailspin – what with the rest of the world watching Big Jon and Stevie C.: we still have something to offer; even if it means “Selling the U.S. by the mile-per-gallon.”