I've been getting mixed messages from fans of the column. Most tell me I was right to put it on hiatus, but that I should resume it ASAP because it's the job of political humorists to point out our government's foibles, even at a time like this. A handful of friends caution me to wait a very long time, worrying that I will be viewed as unpatriotic if I resume it while we're at "war." And a few readers have told me that I've already let them down by failing to be a satirical watchdog during a time when civil liberties are especially endangered. Others have cautioned me that when I return I shouldn't be too "nice."
I'd love some feedback on this. I do worry that the terrorist attacks have turned political humor into an endangered species. (The Onion's articles have done a bit to assuage those fears.) But, for instance, watching the late night talk show hosts quite visibly struggle to entertain us, act patriotic, behave sensitively, and not lose any ad dollars has been very disturbing.
On a lighter note, I wrote a satirical piece about the late night talk show hosts (and poltiical humorists in general) and the challenges they face:"Comics' Relief: Late Night Comedians Begin Group Therapy" http://www.madkane.com/comics.html
Mad KaneMadeleine Begun Kane, Humor Columnist http://www.madkane.comhttp://www.madkane.com/bush.html (Dubya's Dayly Diary)Subscribe To MADKANE HUMOR: Send Blank email to madkane-subscribe@topica.com
The piece "U.S. Vows To Defeat Whoever It Is We're At War With" is so on target that, had no one told you it was a humor piece, you would have believed our president had actually said it. The beauty of having such an idiot in office is that, like Quayle, you almost don't have to work at it: just quote him and you've got the laugh.
I think it is important that we do keep quoting him and illuminating the quality of person who was appointed to our highest office. It is vital to the national security that we know exactly what we're dealing with and, most importantly, what he is doing and saying at all times.
By all means, continue to write these pieces. Restoring America's sense of humor will also restore our vitality and critical faculties, two things that have largely been put on hold in and by the media.
