Political rallies are for squares. I find them mostly dull, ineffectual exercises in self-gratification (same could be said for blogging). I tell myself that I do not require a motivational speech or holding hands with strangers to validate a position. Besides, there are far better things to do with one's free time. I'd rather be golfing, hiking, reading, pulling a tooth, anything but rallying.
And so it was with modest skepticism that I found myself on a Saturday afternoon at the steps of the Texas State Capitol building surrounded by thousands of Austinites, cheering, laughing, singing, united for a common cause. The speaker (by video feed from Washington): comedian and The Daily Show host, Jon Stewart. The message: "Let's take it down a notch." The foil: cable-news media, or what Mr. Stewart called "the country's 24-hour politico pundit perpetual panic conflictinator".
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's 'Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear' was touted as a rally for people like me, people who do not attend political rallies, who find the partisan extremes absurd and who view the current political climate, while challenging, far from the apocalypse some would have us believe. Yes, a Million Moderate March, as Mr. Stewart jokingly put it, for "not so much the Silent Majority as the Busy Majority". This was an anti-rally, as I saw it, and an appeal for moderates to re-affirm their majority status.
For two hours, Mr's Stewart and Colbert entertained the audience with satire pointed at popular culture, politicians and cable news pundits, all in the spirit of coaxing Americans back to a more civil and rational discourse.
The enemy, they argued, is not Republicans or Democrats. It is rather the exaggerated image of Americans being peddled by radio pundits and cable news outlets who elevate extremists over the majority of reasonable citizens. The "left-wing" media were singled out for equating tea-partiers with racists and the "right-wing" for their inability to distinguish terrorists from moderate Muslims.
The enemy, they argued, is not Republicans or Democrats. It is rather the exaggerated image of Americans being peddled by radio pundits and cable news outlets who elevate extremists over the majority of reasonable citizens. The "left-wing" media were singled out for equating tea-partiers with racists and the "right-wing" for their inability to distinguish terrorists from moderate Muslims.
"This is not to suggest that times are not difficult and that we have nothing to fear. They are and we do," Stewart said in a rare, serious moment. "But we live now in hard times, not end times. We can have animus and not be enemies."
A modest message to be sure, yet one for which politically-moderate news junkies like myself find a refreshing interjection to the national discourse, especially in an election year when the rhetorical volume is turned ALL THE WAY UP.
The highpoint of the rally was also a metaphor for the event: a mock battle-of-the-bands between Cat Stevens and Ozzy Osbourne. Stevens, who now goes by the name Yusuf Islam, began with an acoustic rendition of his folk ballad, "Peace Train", only to be interrupted by Stephen Colbert who rushed to the microphone and announced that his train was now arriving.
At Stewart's behest, Cat Stevens started up again with "Peace Train" until Colbert jumped in and proclaimed that he was "pulling the emergency brake on this rainbow, moonbeam choo-choo!"
A battle of the bands ensued as Ozzy and Stevens volleyed metal and folk train classics. The performance predictably descended into chaos with both artists shouting over each other. Eventually, they grew tired of the orchestration and abandoned their fight, embracing one another before leaving the stage.
Stewart and Colbert nervously paced about, lamenting the lack of singers with whom to sing train-related hits. The standoff ended when a line from the O'Jays soul classic, "Love Train", repeated over the speaker system.
"Is that the sound of Philadelphia?" Jon Stewart wondered aloud.
"The sweet Philly soul?" Stephen Colbert replied.
Indeed, it was. Both hosts agreed a love train was one they could get aboard. This made a fitting introduction for the renowned soul group who took the stage and performed their 1973 single to the delight of everyone.
Some to-do was made over Jon Stewart's claim that his would not be a "political" rally. I took this to mean it would not be a partisan or ideological message, and to this he was true. Still, it is inaccurate to describe the rally as "non-political". When we mock our political discourse we are making a political statement, are we not?
And while the stage remained neutral, those in attendance were clearly a majority left-leaning crowd. This was evident in the many signs scattered about the capital lawn. Most successfully walked the line between politics and parody. Below were my favorites:
It is also notable that Glenn Beck is recurrently the target of Jon Stewart's satire as he, along with fellow Fox News host, Sean Hannity, and MSNBC's Ed Schultz, embodies the least reputable and most divisive element of cable-news punditry. No one is eviscerated more by media watchdog groups and the press for spreading misinformation than Beck and Hannity. And if you believed there did not exist a left-wing equivalent to the ideological fear-mongering found daily on Fox News, tune in to MSNBC's The Ed Show to learn how "psycho" Republicans are intent on destroying the country.
While I disagree with critics who suggest these personalities are deliberate propaganda profiteers (I believe they are mostly sincere), it matters little whether they are unethical or intellectually irresponsible. The result is the same: a sloppy product sold as expert opinion to a credulous audience. Pragmatism or objectivity in their news analysis is a ghost. It is pure ego run amuck. If you agree with their views you are a righteous customer, else you embody all that is wrong with America and will surely bring about her imminent demise. Each of these gentlemen diminishes the national discourse. Each exaggerates and inflames the dialog. Each ruthlessly demonizes their perceived opponents, inciting an Us vs. Them mentality that divides and isolates the public.
To me, these shows are the Jersey Shore of cable-news media: grotesque, amateurish, at times unwatchable. Not for their rigid ideology or political fundamentalism, but their hyper-partisan vitriol and abhorrent lack of journalistic integrity. Even as the events of the day unfold, one can be certain that Beck, Hannity and Schultz (and those of their ilk in other medium) will spin wild conspiracy, manufactured controversy and cause for panic, and where it is unwarranted, as often it is, Jon Stewart and other satirists will mock them for it.
Why does this matter? If you follow cable-news outlets Fox News and MSNBC (as I do, God help me), you were witness this election cycle to a Neanderthal display of brute partisanship and ideological fear-mongering the likes of which P.T. Barnum would envy. The good, the bad and the revolting were front-and-center with these popular and influential networks. Jon Stewart recognizes their impact on public opinion and the responsibility to civil discourse, evidence-based reporting and even — gulp — independently-substantiated criticism. All too often this responsibility is sacrificed at the alter of mindless ego pursuing the crown of being right over getting it right for the viewers.
I find it immensely interesting that an October Pew Research poll reported 1-in-5 Americans falsely believe the President of the United States is a Muslim (1-in-3 Republicans), and a July CNN/Opinion Research poll found 44% of Republicans believe the president is "foreign-born". The Left are nearly as susceptible when their party is not in power. A 2007 Rasmussen poll found 35% of Democrats believed George W. Bush knew about the 9/11 attacks in advance.
How is it that a significant percentage of good citizens are manipulated by extremist rhetoric and fallacious claims that are easily debunked? The answer can, in part, point a finger at ratings-centric media outlets such as these, for they are as far as many citizens will traverse in their quest for information. The quality of information these outlets produce matters with respect to political outcomes. And with the advent of the internet and cable news outlets, the avenues of information have broadened exponentially. The effect is an unprecedented amount of valuable information scattered amongst a sea of endless rumors, half-truths and questionable variation of facts. Even the most obnoxious voices, under the guise of credibility, can reach a broad audience.
In a political season where the absurd make headlines and hyperbole wins the ratings war, I viewed the 'Sanity' rally as an opportunity to stand with my brothers and sisters in the moderate majority and express optimism for the country — not only optimism, but a welcome sense of humor.
This was an event that did not take itself too seriously. When it comes to politics, finding levity in our discourse is a necessary reminder that we are still one people. Americans can and should debate the issues of the day with great passion and conviction, yet still acknowledge each other's humanity. I am tired of myopic, self-serving blowhards demonizing fellow citizens, stirring up partisan anxiety for profit and dragging the national debate into the gutter. They do not speak for the majority of reasonable citizens, nor do they elevate our democracy.
This was an event that did not take itself too seriously. When it comes to politics, finding levity in our discourse is a necessary reminder that we are still one people. Americans can and should debate the issues of the day with great passion and conviction, yet still acknowledge each other's humanity. I am tired of myopic, self-serving blowhards demonizing fellow citizens, stirring up partisan anxiety for profit and dragging the national debate into the gutter. They do not speak for the majority of reasonable citizens, nor do they elevate our democracy.
In the weeks since the rally, I've read several reviews of the event. Was the rally meant to restore sanity? Was Jon Stewart attempting to influence election turnout? Were these comedians a mouthpiece for the Democratic party? This analysis over-shoots the mark. It's satire, plain and simple, and the rally should not be considered more than a humorous reminder that acknowledging our shared values is relevant even as we air our differences.
Unsurprisingly, the simplistic message was lost on those media establishments for whom the message was most targeted. Fox News called the event "stupid", "nonsense", "the insanity rally". Rush Limbaugh referred to the hosts as "a bunch of stupid-and-smug-about-it, overpaid, metro-sexual comedians". HBO's Bill Maher quipped that attempts to reach across the aisle were pointless because "Obama tried that and found there are no moderates on the other side". MSNBC went on the defensive, complaining they should not be compared to the fear-mongers at FOX. Lost in the finger pointing was an uncomplicated message of unity and civility over partisan hostility.
All the bickering prompted Jon Stewart to respond by announcing his follow-up event: the 'Rally To Determine Precisely The Percentage Of Blame To Be Doled Out To The Left And The Right For Our Problems Because We All Know That The Only Thing That Matters Is That The Other Guys Are Worse Than We Are And/Or Fear'.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
