Political satire has been around for many years. Look back at old publications and you will see cartoons and the like portraying various politicians as fools. A good cartoon will latch onto any weaknesses and highlight them raising a laugh amongst the audience.
In the UK, in more recent times, satirical comedy such as The Frost Report, That was the week that was, Spitting Image and Have I Got New For You, have all poked fun at the ruling elite, that is politicians. At times you almost wonder how such shows get away with it but they do. Or perhaps that should say they did.
Acroos the Pond could be different and what happens in the USA tends to hit the UK sooner or later. If sources are correct it would seem that a satirical skit aimed at hitting President Obama was pulled rather than being aired.
According to the Daily Caller the skit was due to be shown during Saturday Night Live. Their report carries just a little saying, "In the skit, President Obama addresses Americans soon after the first anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden — and he makes sure to remind viewers that all credit for the raid on the terrorist leader’s compound belongs to him.
“I hope you had a safe and joyous first anniversary of his killing,” the president, portrayed by Fred Armisen, begins. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to be at home this year, as I had to fly to Afghanistan, to remind President Karzai that, exactly one year ago, we killed Osama bin Laden, and that the decision to do so was a gutsy one,” the president continues. “And was mine.”
The president then outlines what gifts are appropriate on the anniversaries of “Killing Osama bin Laden Day,” and reminds his audience that “heavy drinking, and Killing Osama bin Laden Day, are never a good combination.”"
Funny, right? So what is the big deal? Being able to handle the satire and sarcasm is part of a political role. If not you may as well liken yourself to Hitler or Gaddafi. Western leaders such as Obama are always quick to claim that they are protecting our freedoms but preventing satire is one huge step in the wrong direction.
So who pulled the plug on the fun? In the end NBC opted to run a skit poking fun at Fox News. "Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends.” That skit, which also featured Armisen, mocked Fox News personalities by portraying them as clueless partisans. “Shame on President Barack Obama, who is running a campaign ad that argues that Mitt Romney would not have made the decision to launch the raid,” said Taran Killam, who portrayed Fox personality Steve Doocy. “I can name one person who wouldn’t have launched that raid: Barack Obama!” Bobby Moynihan, playing Fox host Brian Kilmeade, interjected."
Funny too, but why pull the original? Of course that is the question. That and who was behind the hasty rewrite? Whilst it may have been at the hands of Obama supporters or even Obama, it could have been the reverse. Pulling it will certainly have given the opposition some fuel.
This may all sound trivial nonsense but sadly it is much more. The ruling elite are in danger of becoming just that. Take a hard look at President Putin, now holed up the Kremlin for six more years, whilst protesters are kept well away. Look at OWS in America, and beyond, and how they are being removed from sight. Think back to George W Bush and his manipulation of the crowd by only allowing supporters anywhere near and keeping protesters in restricted zones.
Currently the West is going down a road to more restrictions and more manipulation. We are manipulated more times than we care to consider. Just look at advertising and how it works on you, if you do not believe me. Whilst we berate people like Assad of Syria, quite rightly so, we keep moving small steps closer to Regimes rather than true democracies
Tags: Satire, political humour, Obama skit pulled, Fox News, Saturday Night Live
In the UK, in more recent times, satirical comedy such as The Frost Report, That was the week that was, Spitting Image and Have I Got New For You, have all poked fun at the ruling elite, that is politicians. At times you almost wonder how such shows get away with it but they do. Or perhaps that should say they did.
Acroos the Pond could be different and what happens in the USA tends to hit the UK sooner or later. If sources are correct it would seem that a satirical skit aimed at hitting President Obama was pulled rather than being aired.
According to the Daily Caller the skit was due to be shown during Saturday Night Live. Their report carries just a little saying, "In the skit, President Obama addresses Americans soon after the first anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden — and he makes sure to remind viewers that all credit for the raid on the terrorist leader’s compound belongs to him.
“I hope you had a safe and joyous first anniversary of his killing,” the president, portrayed by Fred Armisen, begins. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to be at home this year, as I had to fly to Afghanistan, to remind President Karzai that, exactly one year ago, we killed Osama bin Laden, and that the decision to do so was a gutsy one,” the president continues. “And was mine.”
The president then outlines what gifts are appropriate on the anniversaries of “Killing Osama bin Laden Day,” and reminds his audience that “heavy drinking, and Killing Osama bin Laden Day, are never a good combination.”"
Funny, right? So what is the big deal? Being able to handle the satire and sarcasm is part of a political role. If not you may as well liken yourself to Hitler or Gaddafi. Western leaders such as Obama are always quick to claim that they are protecting our freedoms but preventing satire is one huge step in the wrong direction.
So who pulled the plug on the fun? In the end NBC opted to run a skit poking fun at Fox News. "Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends.” That skit, which also featured Armisen, mocked Fox News personalities by portraying them as clueless partisans. “Shame on President Barack Obama, who is running a campaign ad that argues that Mitt Romney would not have made the decision to launch the raid,” said Taran Killam, who portrayed Fox personality Steve Doocy. “I can name one person who wouldn’t have launched that raid: Barack Obama!” Bobby Moynihan, playing Fox host Brian Kilmeade, interjected."
Funny too, but why pull the original? Of course that is the question. That and who was behind the hasty rewrite? Whilst it may have been at the hands of Obama supporters or even Obama, it could have been the reverse. Pulling it will certainly have given the opposition some fuel.
This may all sound trivial nonsense but sadly it is much more. The ruling elite are in danger of becoming just that. Take a hard look at President Putin, now holed up the Kremlin for six more years, whilst protesters are kept well away. Look at OWS in America, and beyond, and how they are being removed from sight. Think back to George W Bush and his manipulation of the crowd by only allowing supporters anywhere near and keeping protesters in restricted zones.
Currently the West is going down a road to more restrictions and more manipulation. We are manipulated more times than we care to consider. Just look at advertising and how it works on you, if you do not believe me. Whilst we berate people like Assad of Syria, quite rightly so, we keep moving small steps closer to Regimes rather than true democracies
Tags: Satire, political humour, Obama skit pulled, Fox News, Saturday Night Live
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