Jon Stewart Talks Politics, America at Hamilton College
Stephanie Ogozaly
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Entertainment
Stewart used a simple example from his personal life to demonstrate how cynicism develops and the innocence of childhood is lost: he and his son were at a café and a young girl grabbed the toy Stewart's son was playing with and walked away with it. Stewart said that children are "pure joy" but that becomes polluted by cynicism as children experience that the world is a non-perfect place. Stewart noted that you can't stop cynicism from permeating childhood and it will be carried into adulthood.?
Stewart turned his attention to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, saying that in press conferences "President Bush sounds like a sixth grader giving a book report on a book he hasn't read."?
Of the Vice President, Stewart said, "I'm not saying that Dick Cheney sups on the blood of the innocent or that puppies turn to dust when he looks at them… I'm just saying I don't trust him."
? "People of this country only want competence," Stewart added, "The room is destroyed. Obama just needs to make the bed and America will be happy."?
In the speech, Stewart also mentioned other issues in America, such as war and education. "Smart bombs, stupid children," he said. In the future, "bombs will be too valuable… we will have to drop children."?
After an eruption of laughter and applause, Stewart opened the floor for questions. One Hamilton College student asked Stewart if he saw himself as more of a journalist or a comedian.?
"I am absolutely not a newscaster," Stewart said. "If anything, I am an editorial cartoonist." Stewart added that the fact that such a question could even be asked was a "sad statement of journalism in this country."?
Stewart ended the night by recounting his memories of 9/11 and how America overcame the tragedy. Even with this subject, Stewart injected humor when he told the crowd that he experienced a moment of realization when he witnessed a homeless man again going about his normal routine - masturbating in the doorway of Stewart's apartment building. He said the moment made him stop and think: "Hey, we're gonna be okay."?
So, take it from Jon Stewart: America is gonna be okay.
Stewart turned his attention to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, saying that in press conferences "President Bush sounds like a sixth grader giving a book report on a book he hasn't read."?
Of the Vice President, Stewart said, "I'm not saying that Dick Cheney sups on the blood of the innocent or that puppies turn to dust when he looks at them… I'm just saying I don't trust him."
? "People of this country only want competence," Stewart added, "The room is destroyed. Obama just needs to make the bed and America will be happy."?
In the speech, Stewart also mentioned other issues in America, such as war and education. "Smart bombs, stupid children," he said. In the future, "bombs will be too valuable… we will have to drop children."?
After an eruption of laughter and applause, Stewart opened the floor for questions. One Hamilton College student asked Stewart if he saw himself as more of a journalist or a comedian.?
"I am absolutely not a newscaster," Stewart said. "If anything, I am an editorial cartoonist." Stewart added that the fact that such a question could even be asked was a "sad statement of journalism in this country."?
Stewart ended the night by recounting his memories of 9/11 and how America overcame the tragedy. Even with this subject, Stewart injected humor when he told the crowd that he experienced a moment of realization when he witnessed a homeless man again going about his normal routine - masturbating in the doorway of Stewart's apartment building. He said the moment made him stop and think: "Hey, we're gonna be okay."?
So, take it from Jon Stewart: America is gonna be okay.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
New York Movers
posted 5/06/09 @ 4:07 PM EST
Nice article, though you seem to have a question mark after every paragraph like you're not sure if what you're describing actually happened. Stewart is a pretty smart person and I'd love to see him do a speech. (Continued…)
Post a Comment