Tuesday, December 28, 2004

I've been reading America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction, written by Jon Stewart and other writers from The Daily Show. It's a faux civics textbook, complete with the "This Book is the Property of" stamp on the inside front cover. Stewart and his merry band ridicule and shred every institution in American civic life, and they show no concern for political correctness, either left or right. Here is a sample relevant to my employer:

This is not to insinuate people feel the judicial branch is an unimportant part of our government, just that it is the least important. And that is exactly how the judicial branch likes it. Flying under most people's radar allows the judicial branch to quietly control all aspects of your life. From your morning hardcore pornography masturbation session, to your lunchtime abortion, right up through your twilight neo-Nazi march through a predominantly Jewish/black community, the judicial branch is there to make sure everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law . . . under God.

Most excellent political satire.



3 comments:

Miranda said...

I've already claimed Jon Stewart as my official TV boyfriend. He's smart, funny, and left of center: who could ask for more?

Phoebe said...

I liked the voter registration form:

"Why the sudden interest in voting?"
"Do you have some sort of a problem with the U.S. government?"
"Are you just doing this for the sticker?"

Ann said...

Older son bought the book as resource material for Western Civ last semester (cough). He brought it home over Thanksgiving break, but needed to take it back with him to study for finals (cough). So I haven't had a chance to read it all yet. I loved what I did read.

Have you seen his guest stint on Point/Counterpoint? One of the most amazing things I've ever seen.

"So, how was your weekend? Mine was pretty good. I got a haircut. I worked out in the yard. I called somebody a dick on national television." I heart John Stewart.