DISQUS

Considering that show business is as mean-spirited and petty as national politics, it is a remarkable feat that Letterman has around for as long as he has - doing things largely on his terms. And while I have found some of his current stuff repetitive, when he is really worked up about something, he is without peer in late night. Was it me, or was he channeling a bit of Stringer Bell from The Wire? Normally quiet, easy-going and all business, but God help you if you cross him.

To quote The 40 Year Old Virgin, "I used to think Matt Damon was a Streisand, but he's rocking the shit in this!"

Marc,

Yes, there are militaries in Europe. The UK is doing admirable work in Afghanistan, and they were instrumental in bringing peace to Sierra Leone. And France, although the butt of jokes in the U.S., actually has a pretty strong military, although they are as hesitant as the U.S. in engaging in collaborative military endeavors. But, keep in mind that when the Balkan wars started in the 1990's - it was Europe that told the U.S. to stay out, that they would take care of it, and in the meantime over 200,000 Bosnian Muslims were killed in Europe's backyard. European nations do have the ability, but they shy from leadership. They look to the U.S. for leadership, and although Bush has squandered that, it is not like Europe has stepped up to the plate.

Well, believe me - many Americans would prefer we close our bases in Europe and bring our men and women home. After all, it strikes many of us on this side of the Atlantic as odd that a region of such wealth seems so unwilling to take even minimal measures to defend itself. Even former Chancellor Schroeder, no friend of Bush, pleaded with him not to shut down a number of American bases in Germany, fearing the economic cost.

My relatives in India cannot fathom how an area as prosperous as Western Europe can be so cheap when it comes to their own defense. Their region of the world is quite dangerous, but they do not expect American men and women to defend them.

So, enjoy your two hour lunches and month-long vacations. I am envious - and take care of Russia by yourself.

The American military understands its job is not to open up new markets for Halliburton, act as the Saudi royal family's private body guards, or preserve Israel's nuclear monopoly in the region. They are there to protect the U.S. from attack, and eliminate those who attack us, To their immense credit - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Michael Mullen are the two most prominent men who are standing in the way of the "Attack Iran" brigade. Here is an article from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which does a far better job of covering the Middle East than any American news outlet:

"U.S. Puts Brakes on Israeli Plan"
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1010938.html

I was living in DC when The Original Kings of Comedy came out. I headed out to the cinema hall at Union Station. Most of the audience was having a good time, but nothing too crazy - a lot of the jokes were kinda the same. But when Mac came on, the audience was in hysterics. At the time, Mac probably was the least well known of the 4 comics in that line-up. I know I didn't know him.

Then his career took off, and when he did get his own show, he and Larry Wilmore (a producer and writer) decided to put together an original show. They did not shy away from the tragedy that often is in some families, such as his sister's drug use. Or the paranoid feelings that kick in when teenagers start dating, or what to do when your kid is a bit of a geek. He dropped the "Dumb Dad" routine that is so common in sitcoms, and became a Father Knows Best with attitude in an easy chair.

Although George Carlin was a very different type of stand-up, both he and Mac were originals. Both are gonna be missed. Thankfully, we have YouTube.

I forgot Fred Thompson.

Celebrities who went on to hold office as Republicans - Ronald Reagan, Sonny Bono, Clint Eastwood, the Gopher guy from The Love Boat, and Arnold Schwarzeneger. Kelsey Grammer, also a Republican, has hinted he would like to run for U.S. Senate from California. The best the Democrats can seem to do is Al Franken. ;)

I think you mean "self-deprecating". I'm sure Obama has control over his bodily functions. :)

As I recall, Obama made appeared on SNL - kinda stiff, but it looked like he was having fun. He did an intro to Monday Night Football where he seemed to enjoy himself. During the primaries, he joked about how he took the question, "What is your biggest weakness?" way too seriously. His answer - he needs to be better organized. Clinton and Edwards answered they care too much. And when showing up late to a black organization rally, he cracked one about being on CPT.

Obama is funny - the media is just not listening.

And keep in mind, he was a law lecturer for a good chunk of his career - not exactly a profession known for hilarity. I don't see anyone asking Alan Dershowitz why he can't be more like Jerry Seinfeld.

While i understand the motivation behind posting Robeson's picture, the fact remains he was an apologist for one of the worst mass murderers in history. That outweighs whatever accomplishments he made on stage.