This Changes Nothing

(Note: there are a couple of words not suitable for young kids on this video)

This is Jon Stewart’s closing speech from his Rally to Restore Sanity that took place in Washington, DC this past Saturday.  I have to say that I find it deeply refreshing to hear someone finally stand up and put the 24-hour news cycle in proper perspective.  I only wish more of my Christian brothers and sisters would hasten to this and realize that FOX news is not painting a picture of reality (nor are any of the other news channels).  They are in it for the money and the ratings, that’s it people.  And, when you give them more of your time and attention than you do your kids, your neighbors and your God, then I think it’s time to turn the TV off.

Slightly NSFW (1 curse word). 

Interesting quote: “Jokes aren’t funny if they’re lies.”

nprfreshair:

92y:

Jon Stewart in Conversation with Terry Gross, Host of NPR’s Fresh Air
Stewart cracks wise on 92nd Street Y, explains The Million Moderate March and discusses at length on why The Daily Show is not journalism.

“…the march is merely a construct. It’s just a format…” Stewart allowed, “to translate the type of expression that we do…it’s a format to be filled with the type of material that Stephen and I do and the point of view.”

The conversation continued with discussion about what it is that Jon Stewart and crew do on The Daily Show. According to Stewart, the work they do is all about using their instincts, making connections between news stories and then looking into it. Terry described it as journalism. “Nah, I don’t think so,” Stewart disagreed, “I think it’s called Googling.” Either way, Terry expressed surprise at the information she discovers on The Daily Show: “I often feel like, how come I had to find out about [an issue] on your show, a comedy show?!” “That’s funny,” Steward deadpanned, “because we often feel that way as well.”

It’s an interesting perception, and one that Gawker’s Nick Denton, would probably agree with. In a recent interview, Denton was asked if what he does is journalism. “I don’t consider that to be a very interesting question,” he responded, visibly irritated. “Most good journalism is produced by people who don’t care about producing good journalism.”

Video of Terry’s interview with Jon Stewart is now up. Thanks 92nd Street Y!