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Salon.com
This year saw the "fake news" landscape shift in unexpected ways, with the departure of "The Colbert Report," and the swift rise of John Oliver. But through all of the changes, we've had the steady, but never boring, voice of Jon Stewart leading the way.Since 1999, Jon Stewart has been at the helm of "The Daily Show," offering an outlet for disaffected liberals and helping to foster an entire generation of comedy stalwarts. And while some have grown tired of his trademark snark, there is still no doubting his impact on popular culture.
This year was an eventful one for Stewart, who branched outside of the world of comedy with his directorial debut, "Rosewater." More so than ever, people are wondering what "The Daily Show" looks like after Jon Stewart. But that time hasn't come just yet.
Here were his best moments from 2014:
One of the most amazing aspects of Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" is its ability to nurture, support and elevate an impressive group of comedians. This was made quite apparent in 2014. Here's a taste of the incredible voices of "The Daily Show":
"Jessica's Feminized Atmosphere" shows why Jessica Williams is the greatest.
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The Washington Post
The show was so good and so meticulously performed that you could, in fact, not watch it. That, too, is high praise. It's rare for a show and a performer to become so enmeshed with the zeitgeist that ratings become a moot point. Only the most loyal citizens of the so-called Colbert Nation truly needed their nightly dose of the layered political satire that Colbert mastered in the guise of "Stephen Colbert," a narcissistic, conservative blowhard spouting his fact-averse commentary on the day's news.
The rest of us could instead check in from time to time and make sure his carefully constructed outrage and indignation were still very much attuned to the degrees of viral outrage and deep indignation that have come to define American life in the early 21st century. The Colbert era was in the air as much as on the air, as the show's best work took morning victory laps on Internet news feeds.
The joke caught on and never exhausted itself. What we were seeing was the perfect indictment of the world of political punditry, yes, but also a send-up of our inflexibility when it came to opinions, reason and the truth. "Truthiness," an early invention of the Colbert shtick, allowed its host to have it both ways, as a buffoon who holds objectionable opinions that he intends his liberal-leaning audience to object to by pretending to bask in his jingo-wingo patriotism. "Anyone can read the news to you," Colbert said on the show's first episode. "I promise to feel the news at you."
"The Colbert Report" was both a spin-off from and essential companion piece to "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," which airs before it. Together - yet pretending to be ideologically apart - Stewart and Colbert occupied a rare, perfect melding of the serious and the satirical during a period in which the country was at war abroad and experiencing a series of nervous breakdowns at home.
... ... ...
"We know that polls are just statistics that reflect what people are thinking in 'reality,' " Colbert told the audience at the White House Correspondents Association dinner in 2006. "And reality has a well-known liberal bias." His monologue then proceeded to strafe an audience filled with media people, politicians, cabinet members, generals, a president and a first lady. It was at once quietly horrifying and frankly beautiful.
After that night, it seemed as if our world had sorted itself in yet one more way: People who got Colbert and the dolts who didn't; people who were in on the act and people who were congenitally impervious to it
... ... ...
In personal moments, such as a videotaped Q&A with Google employees two years ago, Colbert referred to the character he played on "The Colbert Report" as "a well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot. … He is living an unexamined life and that's fine with him."
... ... ...
Watching his final shows, it's clear that Colbert the actor intends to seal the "Stephen Colbert" character away forever. "The Colbert Report" is leaving a world largely unchanged; almost eerily, the long-awaited report on CIA torture arrived as a grim flashback to the era in which the show began. The nation made almost no progress on the biggies - the wars, the environment, the bickering, the wealth gap. Noting that China had released a statement asking, "How long can America pretend to be a human rights champion?" Colbert replied: "Uh, I don't know - for about as long as I can pretend I don't know who made my iPhone?"
Hank Stuever has been The Post's TV critic since 2009. He joined the paper in 1999 as a writer for the Style section, where he has covered an array of popular (and unpopular) culture across the nation.
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12/17/2014 | zerohedge.com
"...so many still maintain that America is the greatest nation in the world. They swear that America represents all that is good; freedom, democracy, merit based capitalism and the rights of the individual. That is true America does represent such things. However, it is fraudulent to consider our current nation America. America was a concept that promoted all that is good. And so it would seem that the nation in which they find themselves cannot be America. Their nation today represents the will of the political class at all costs, period. Their sole motivation is themselves. Very different from America. And so perhaps a renaming on the nation is required, at least until or if the people decide to take it back and reintroduce the world to the concept that is America for as discussed below you cannot destroy a concept and so there is hope to bring her back. But until then we need a name for this geographic region and its new societal system... It seems"Neoconica" is most fitting."
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Moscow Exile, December 10, 2014 at 10:51 pmHere's how the European powers (including Imperial Russia) and Japan were portrayed in their concerted attempt to divvy up the Chinese Empire at the turn of the 20th century.XXX December 10, 2014 at 10:52 pmThat Chinese pie in the drawing could very well be replaced by a Russian one nowadays and a symbolic figure for the USA would have to be included, of course, to replace the one portraying imperial Russia.
It's a French political cartoon, by the way, hence "Chine" for "China".colliemum , December 10, 2014 at 11:03 pmI love the way a grim Victoria locks eyes with an even grimmer Prussian, probably Bismarck.Moscow Exile , December 10, 2014 at 11:26 pm
Look how sweet La France looks, pure innocence, and how gentle is the Tsar …
Btw – the Germans did get a Chinee 'colony', and were told to bloody well fight during the Boxer uprising: "Germans to the front" – that is a call which would have the present-day Germans rolling on the floor with mirth, given the state of the Bundeswehr.Such cartoons could of course never be made today, because they're racist, innit, and demeaning. But this does depict the mindset still prevalent in the Western upper levels of 'Mandarindom', replacing the gentle Tsar with a very gentle Uncle Sam and the 'Chinaman' with a Russian peasant.
Plus ça change and all that …
No, it's Kaiser Bill with his patented waxed moustache with the ends pointing upwards to the heavens. It really was patented as well!As regards the Boxer Rebellion and the German participation therein, that's how the Germans got labelled as "Huns", because the daft Kaiser made a rather silly speech (Hunnenrede) to his expeditionary force before it embarked for China:
Bremerhaven, July 27, 1900
"Great overseas tasks have fallen to the new German Empire, tasks far greater than many of my countrymen expected. The German Empire has, by its very character, the obligation to assist its citizens if they are being set upon in foreign lands. The tasks that the old Roman Empire of the German nation was unable to accomplish, the new German Empire is in a position to fulfill. The means that make this possible is our army.
It has been built up during thirty years of faithful, peaceful labour, following the principles of my blessed grandfather. You, too, have received your training in accordance with these principles, and by putting them to the test before the enemy, you should see whether they have proved their worth in you. Your comrades in the navy have already passed this test; they have shown that the principles of your training are sound, and I am also proud of the praise that your comrades have earned over there from foreign leaders. It is up to you to emulate them.
A great task awaits you: you are to revenge the grievous injustice that has been done. The Chinese have overturned the law of nations; they have mocked the sacredness of the envoy, the duties of hospitality in a way unheard of in world history. It is all the more outrageous that this crime has been committed by a nation that takes pride in its ancient culture. Show the old Prussian virtue. Present yourselves as Christians in the cheerful endurance of suffering. May honour and glory follow your banners and arms. Give the whole world an example of manliness and discipline.
You know full well that you are to fight against a cunning, brave, well-armed, and cruel enemy. When you encounter him, know this: no quarter will be given. Prisoners will not be taken. Exercise your arms such that for a thousand years no Chinese will dare to look cross-eyed at a German. Maintain discipline. May God's blessing be with you, the prayers of an entire nation and my good wishes go with you, each and every one. Open the way to civilization once and for all! Now you may depart! Farewell, comrades!"
The unofficial but correct version of the crucial passage reads as follows:
"Should you encounter the enemy, he will be defeated! No quarter will be given! Prisoners will not be taken! Whoever falls into your hands is forfeited. Just as a thousand years ago the Huns under their King Attila made a name for themselves, one that even today makes them seem mighty in history and legend, may the name German be affirmed by you in such a way in China that no Chinese will ever again dare to look cross-eyed at a German."
[Source: Johannes Prenzler, ed., Die Reden Kaiser Wilhelms II. [The Speeches of Kaiser Wilhelm II]. 4 volumes. Leipzig, n.d., 2. pp. 209-12.]
THe Hun reference was removed from the official records after the shit had hit the fan because of what the Kaiser had said. However, the unofficial version of what Wilhelm II said before his troops at Bremerhaven is still accessible:
Unofficial version of speech reprinted in Manfred Görtemaker, Deutschland im 19. Jahrhundert. Entwicklungslinien [Germany in the 19th Century. Paths in Development]. Opladen 1996. Schriftenreihe der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, vol. 274, p. 357.
Translation: Thomas Dunlap
Source: GDHI (above)
Some think that Merkel's latest tirade against Russia is similar to the Kaiser's "Hun Speech":
Moscow Exile, December 10, 2014 at 11:03 pm
I wonder if the cartoonist has made Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II look very similar because she was, in fact, his maternal grandmother?It's interesting too that the cartoonist has shown the Kaiser grasping his carving knife with both hands.
Political cartoonists often made it clear that the unfortunate Kaiser had a withered left arm, the result of his clumsily manipulated breech birth.
The Kaiser quite successfully concealed this defect by means of special tailoring and having his shorter "dead" left arm covered by padded clothing and his gloved left hand attach to his jacket, tunic, sword handle or whatever, as can be seen below in this 1905 picture taken of him and Tsar Nicholas II, in which photograph the two emperors are wearing the military uniforms of each other's country:
colliemum , December 10, 2014 at 11:05 pm
I tend to see the fierce Prussian depicting Bismarck rather than Willy Two, but that's just me …Moscow Exile , December 10, 2014 at 11:53 pmIt couldn't be Bismarck being depicted because he was no longer Kanzler when the Boxer Rebellion took place in 1900: he'd been ditched by Willy 10 years earlier in 1890:Moscow Exile , December 10, 2014 at 11:56 pm
A Bismarck tash:
A Kaiser Bill tash:
With patented waxed turned-up ends!
The man himself:
Kaiser Bill's moustache caused much mirth amongst some in the UK:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/33287266Kaiser's Moustache Altered
From the "Daily Mail" natürlich!
As a matter of fact, I'm quite fond of Kaiser Bill. I think he was basically a decent bloke – but he had "problems", not least of which was his disabilility.
It would have been far better if his father had not died shortly after having become Kaiser.
Wilhelm II's father, Kaiser Friedrich III, died of throat cancer after having only been Kaiser and King of Prussia for a mere 3 months in 1888. His wife was Queen Victoria's eldest daughter.
Friedrich was extremely liberal in his politics. I remember reading somewhere that old Queen Vic used to admonish her mob whenever they strarted ridiculing Wilhelm II's posturing, telling them that they should never forget how decent a sort "Uncle Fritz" had been and what a pity it had been that he had died so young – and that his dickhead son had ascended the throne. (My words, at the end, not Her Majesty's.)
Bum link about the Kaiser's moustache!yalensis , December 11, 2014 at 1:56 amHere it is again:
This is how Fritz Lang depicted German (on the left) vs. Hun (on the right) in his great film, "Kriemhilds Rache":
(P.S. – the image is not as racist as it looks. In the film, Atilla is the only actual noble character. Although the Germans are given a pass for their odious behavior, on the grounds that, whichever side they are fighting on, they are bound by an unbreakable oath.)
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Pabluzcu
This clip is perfect to have a good debate about a serious issue, but we have to suffer the fucking trolls ruining the conversation. When is Google going to acknowledge that they have ruined the youtube comments? ...
Federico Pistono
"Right now we have the executive branch making a claim that it has the right to kill anyone, anywhere on Earth, at any time, for secret reasons based on secret evidence, in a secret process undertaken by unidentified officials.
That frightens me." This is how Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown professor and former Pentagon official under President Obama, explained the US policy on drone strikes during a congressional hearing last year.
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Jun 11, 2014 | TeamCoco.com
ABC's Diane Sawyer drilled the former Secretary of State about brain damage rumors, but Hillary seems fine. Mostly.
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The Washington Post
bingham60
- Barack Obama: I've decided we must launch a full scale invasion to liberate Ukraine.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: I've decided this is not America's problem and we will not get involved.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: Afghanistan is the "good war" so I will triple our troops, spending and deaths
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: I've decided we will withdrawal all our troops from Afghanistan.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: If you like the health care plan you have you can keep it. No matter what.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: I never said you could keep your health care plan.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: I am not somebody who promotes same-sex marriage.
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
- Barack Obama: I believe that marriage is the union between two consenting adults .
- Dim Sheeple: Hurray - Yippee - Good Move - We're with you - You're the man
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Olympics-Anger at hockey goal melts political ice in Russia Reuters
Anger over a disallowed goal in the Winter Olympic ice hockey has united host nation Russia, though not for the reasons President Vladimir Putin would have wanted.
The American referee's refusal to count what would have been a winning goal for Russia against the United States on Saturday outraged fans from across the political divide, breaking down barriers in a way that almost nothing else can in Russia.
"The puck was in the goal. What an abomination. Cheating before the whole world! Disgusting!" Alexei Pushkov, a senior pro-Putin member of parliament, wrote in comments on Twitter lambasting the referee.
At the other end of the political spectrum, opposition leader Alexei Navalny backed the torrent of abuse about the disallowed goal that quickly flooded Twitter: "I go along with everything that's been said about the referee
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The man responsible for operating the Olympic Rings during last night's Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Russia was found dead today.
According to local reports the body of Boris Avdeyev was found his hotel room early this morning with multiple stab wounds....
Avdeyev was a technical specialist responsible for the Olympic Ring spectacle, which embarrassingly malfunctioned last night. Five animatronic snowflakes were supposed to transform into Olympic Rings. The first four functioned properly but the fifth snowflake failed to change shape.
Although his body was badly mangled and the wounds were consistent with a struggle, so far officials say they don't suspect foul play.
"Sure there were stab wounds and bruises all over the body," admits the lead investigator on the case. "But who knows what caused them. Maybe he tripped and fell on a set of knives. Right now we're ruling this an accidental death.
"It's terrible when accidents like this happen. But then again, maybe Mr. Avdeyev should have thought twice before he screwed up the Olympics. Accidents tend to happen to people who betray Russia."
Despite the government's story, fellow hotel guests reported hearing a struggle in Avdeyev's room around 3 a.m. local time.
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23 December 2013 | The Guardian
Julian1972 -> StevHepPussy Riot and 'Culture' in the same sentence?blessmycottonsocksIt must be Christmas!
Oh I see; it was a cultural thing!And I thought filming yourself in a supermarket inserting frozen chicken legs into your vagina was just (distasteful) exhibitionism.
Ber10000
Ah, the backlash has, er, arrived,and it's, like, disturbing. Which comes first the backlash or the crime. Suggested headline.
"Punk "band" fears backlash ahead of tomorrow's simulated masturbation gig in Orthodox church."
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28 January 2014 | The Guardian
putinhero
Putin is completely anti-gay. First of all he has stopped Western interference in Syria. That was totally anti-gay.
Then he has restored the Orthodox Church in Russia, after 80 years of Churches being forcefully destroyed by Communists. That was totally anti-gay.
Then Putin has worked for peace with other nations. Totally anti-gay.
But Putin defends Russian interests. Totally anti-gay.
Also now we have British, French, Americans all attacking Ukraine and causing riots. They hope to make a civil war that will then affect Russia. That will only cause a repeat of the Russian revolution in Russia today. That is all the worst traits of Bolshevism brought back to today. Totally gay.
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Jan 17, 2014 | topwar.ru
Sorry but again, we need to touch the theme of Olympics in Sochi...
Well, what we can do if new reasons to discuss it was provided by our foreign "partners" , many of which just can't sleep because this most important international sporting event is held in Russia
One imagining that in Russia on every corner people with a long beard in hard boots and ugly "fufayka" , tied with hemp instead of morning coffee drink the blood of gays and transvestites and lesbians, sharing it with tame bears.
Other are preoccupied with the vision of Vladimir Putin personally shooting from "Maxim" machine gun right on the Red Square Russian sportsmen who lost their events on Olympics.
Yet another can't sleep because of cost overruns that the sad fact that gold and treasure which were safely hold in the distant mines since the time of Ivan the Terrible were wasted on Sochi Olympics; by modest estimated no less that a kvadragintillion dollars ...
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