John Yarmuth

The Hunt for Truth

During last year’s presidential campaign, much was made of the fact that young people were getting most of their political news from late-night comedy programs, especially The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. As a religious Stewart viewer, I understand why that was the case — young people intuitively understand the silliness of politics — but I also believe that in many cases Stewart provides important information that the conventional news media ignore.

Stewart frequently takes video clips of statements by government officials — Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice and George W. — and juxtaposes them with prior, contradictory comments. For example, at one point in the campaign, Cheney denied ever saying that Iraq was an imminent threat to the United States. Stewart found a clip in which the vice president had said precisely that. This clear contrast generated a good laugh on the program, but it was still serious news — just the type Tim Russert goes after every Sunday on Meet the Press.

Doesn't he say it great?

In the LEO, comedian Mike Nilsson pays tribute to a fallen friend and comedian, Bill Sacra, who passed away on February 9th to cancer.