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Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

Port-au-Prince, Haiti – We have all met a Ken Waters in our lives. While we watch news coverage of major disasters and world events on television people like Ken really live the tragedy. While all we can do is pray and send donations; the Ken Waters of the world must endure the suffering of their self projected victimization.

“When I heard of the tragic events in Haiti recently,” he explains, “I remembered I have a 3rd cousin that might be from Haiti so I immediately Tweeted this to my followers and casually worked it into conversations with co-workers about the event.”

He goes to explain how the recent disaster effects himself more so than others due to this minor degree of separation.

“The first step in relating to a major tragedy in the world,” he continues,”is figuring where the fuck it is. This is why much like the media I tend to ignore Darfur.”

“I just hope my 3rd cousin who may or may not be from Haiti is alright.”

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

Politics Jokes - Late Night Humor

Source: US Bulletin

Jay Leno: “Well, I love…this. The underwear bomber pleaded not guilty in court today. He had a bomb in his underpants, okay! ‘What is your defense?’ ‘I didn’t know there was a bomb in my underpants.’ Oh, ‘I was framed by the Fruit of the Loom guys.’ What are you doing? How could you plead not — there was a bomb in your underpants. So stupid!”

Conan O’Brien: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is under fire for discussing whether or not President Obama has a ‘negro dialect.’ … Reid is also in trouble for saying Joe Lieberman ‘talks all Moses-y.’”

Craig Ferguson: “It’s a great day for Sarah Palin. She was hired as a commentator for Fox News. She signed a multi-year contract, which means she’ll probably quit after a year.”

David Letterman: “Sarah Palin is joining Fox News. … The new slogan is ‘hair and unbalanced.’”

Conan O’Brien: According to a new TV Guide poll, “83 percent of voters -want me to stay at 11:35. … When he heard this poll number, President Obama asked, ‘How can I get NBC to screw me over?’”

David Letterman: “I thought this was nice: President Obama invited Jay and Conan to the White House for a beer.”

Jimmy Fallon: “President Obama announced a plan to recover federal bailout money from banks. I guess that explains why Biden was seen yesterday buying a gun and a ski mask.”

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

Update: Agreement Is Expected in NBC’s Talks With O’Brien

Mr. O’Brien, who had a guaranteed contract for another two and a half years at a salary that has been reported to be $10 million to $20 million a year, is expected to get a settlement that will pay him more than $30 million. In addition, under the terms now on the table, he would win the right to start a new show at some other network, probably as early as September.

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Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

This email was sent out on behalf of President Obama to his campaign supporters:

On Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll — already in the thousands — is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected, including tens of thousands of American citizens who are in Haiti.

Our neighbors in Haiti are racing to confront the enormous devastation — and the OFA community can help.

Click here for more information about essential relief efforts and ways you can help today.

Footage is pouring in of homes collapsing, Haitians carrying injured family members, and hospitals being overrun in what was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. Personnel from the United States and our partners in the international community are on the ground in damaged areas right now, working side by side with the Haitian people. They’re providing much-needed food, water, and sanitation supplies, saving lives and helping local communities start to rebuild.

Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I encourage those who can to reach out and help. It’s in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that has defined the best of our national character for generations.

Click here to find out what you can do:

http://my.barackobama.com/Haiti

As this story continues to unfold, I hope you will continue to keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the many Haitian-Americans who have done so much to enrich our country and who are worried about friends and loved ones in this time of need.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Further Reading: Politico – President Obama: Haiti efforts a top priority

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

From Media Matters – Politicizing Haitian Tragedy

Robertson, host of the Christian Broadcasting Networks’ The 700 Club, claimed that Haiti “swore a pact to the devil” to get “free from the French” and “ever since they have been cursed.” Meanwhile, Limbaugh used his nationally-syndicated radio show to make a number of questionable comments about the tragedy, claiming that Obama would use the Haiti crisis to boost his credibility with the “light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country.” Both Limbaugh and the Fox Nation noted that Obama discussed the earthquake sooner than the attempted Christmas bombing, with Limbaugh asking, “Did he apologize for America?”

NPR has the video and transcript of Pat Robertson’s comments:

PAT ROBERTSON: And, you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, “We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.” True story. And so, the devil said, “OK, it’s a deal.”
And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other. Desperately poor. That island of Hispaniola is one island. It’s cut down the middle. On the one side is Haiti; on the other side is the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, et cetera. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island. They need to have and we need to pray for them a great turning to God. And out of this tragedy, I’m optimistic something good may come. But right now, we’re helping the suffering people, and the suffering is unimaginable.
KRISTI WATTS (co-host): Absolutely, Pat.

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

Fans are rallying behind their Late Night Hero on sites like Twitter to show their support. The media buzz is likely to complicate the scenario further as ratings are likely to spike as fans are joining together to show their support.

The response has been overwhelming, with the news topping Twitter’s trending topics, and users quickly voicing their support with “Team Conan” and #teamconan tweets.

Links: Conan Wins the Hearts and Minds of the Internet

Team Conan – Late Night Hero

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

After the Christmas Day ‘Underwear Bomber’ incident the issue of airport security is once again in the forefront. In the future full body scanners could become the norm at airports to help further thwart Al-Qaeda’s efforts to board planes. Also the issue of using racial profiling as part of the screening process is being thrown around.

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

In between takes from filming her latest Chick-fil-A commercial, Meghan McCain penned a piece on RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s recent spat amongst conservatives.

The RNC chairman is indecisive and at times immature, but there is plenty to respect, including his call yesterday for Harry Reid to step down.

Steele’s had his role for only one year, and, like the rest of the party, is still adjusting and struggling to find his identity.

So he gets a year to ease himself in while Barack Obama got what? A day? Two days? Also I’d love to hear her opinion on how Steele’s ‘injun’ comment is any different from Harry Reid’s ‘negro’ comment. The thing is, there is no difference. They were both comments of poor taste and dated disrespectful nomenclature.

Give Michael Steele More Time by Meghan McCain

Disclaimer: For the record, we here at Self Deprecate.com love healthy women.

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

Politics Jokes - Late Night Humor

Source: US Bulletin

Jay Leno: “Good to see everybody. You know, it is good to be back. We were off for Christmas and apparently so was the Department of Homeland Security.”

Conan O’Brien: “A new poll asked Americans who their ideal next-door neighbor would be. The number one answer was the Obama family…mainly because the Obamas are the kind of neighbors who would lend you a cup of sugar or a trillion dollars.”

Jay Leno: “Sen. Chris Dodd unveiled his plan to reduce corruption in the Senate. He’s retiring.”

Conan O’Brien: “President Obama honored more than 80 teachers for excellence in math and science. … Then he begged them to leave China and come teach here in the United States.”

Jon Stewart: “I know that the Yemen thing complicates the war on terror, but on the plus side, getting attacked is really the only way we Americans learn about world geography.”

Conan O’Brien: “If he’s convicted, the underwear bomber could be sentenced to life in federal prison. … But even worse, for the rest of his life, he’ll be known as the underwear bomber.”

Conan O’Brien: “Yesterday, a naked jogger was stopped near the White House. … Secret Service grabbed the man and immediately allowed him to attend a state dinner.”

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

This time he throws that ‘gotcha journalism’, as the right calls it, at Republican strategist Todd Harris by asking the tough question: Name one thing the Republican party has done for this country in the last 20 years?

Transcription as provided by Crooks & Liars:

MATTHEWS: I just wanted to get the Republican bragging points straight here. So the Republican Party has kept us safe, except for 9/11. Is that the argument? No, really, because you had the worst attack on the American homeland in history, but you`re bragging about your ability to defend the country because you say — you defended America, except for 9/11. That`s your defense, right?

HARRIS: Look, Chris…

MATTHEWS: That`s the bragging point of the Republican Party for the last — I asked you to name one thing they`ve done for this country in 15 to 20 years. I`ll keep going back further. And you`re having a hard time giving me an answer. What has the Republican Party…

HARRIS: No, no. I`m…

MATTHEWS: … done for the country?

HARRIS: I`m not…

MATTHEWS: I`m just — it`s a good question.

HARRIS: Chris, I`m not having…

MCMAHON: Squandered the surplus.

HARRIS: … a hard time giving you an answer.

MCMAHON: Don`t forget, squandered the surplus.

HARRIS: When I decide to write a book about the history of the last 20 years of the Republican Party, I`ll be happy to talk to you about that.

MATTHEWS: No, just give me one…

HARRIS: My job is to win elections — my job is to…

MATTHEWS: Just give me one.

HARRIS: … win elections in 2010.

MATTHEWS: OK.

HARRIS: And I`m going to keep my eye on the ball.

MCMAHON: He doesn`t have one. He doesn`t have one!

MATTHEWS: Steve McMahon — Steve McMahon, YouTube is watching. You`re the Republican consultant, one of the best in the country. Tell me what the Republican Party has done for this country in the last 10 to 20 years? Thank you, Steve McMahon.

(LAUGHTER)

MATTHEWS: Thank you, Todd Harris. You got plenty of time, `64 — we`ll have you back with the answer.

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire

This video is the full episode which begins with the segment on the recent airplane terror attack. The commercial at the beginning is extremely short, like seconds – just find a shiny object to look at until it’s done and you’ll be fine.

The Daily Show is back for the year 2010 and now in true HD. Jon Stewart points out the parallels between this attack and the shoe bomber along with all the systematic failures involved. He then continues to expose the hypocrisy of the right as they grasped for straws to criticize Obama for his reaction to the event.

It was a Nigerian with no luggage on a watch list with a taint full of gun powder. That’s not even Clue – that’s Clue, Jr.; it’s Blues Clues!

Self Deprecate Political Humor and Satire