Saturday, September 25, 2010

Colbert "Entertains" Congress

Comedian Stephen Colbert spoke in character before Congress this week, testifying before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.  Colbert's comedy routine was presumably meant to add publicity to the issues of illegal immigration and migrant farm workers in America. 

Colbert tells Congress farm work 'really hard'

I wish I could say something this ridiculous surprises me, but no.  That would be giving politicians too much credit for governing with direction, clarity and common sense. 

I certainly can't blame Colbert for seizing the moment.  This is the type of stunt his program, The Colbert Report, exists for; issue-oriented and funny.  He would have been a fool not to take advantage of the opportunity.  Unfortunately, the floor of Congress was the platform, and not the set of his show.

Colbert can easily justify his actions by saying he brings notoriety to the issues and, "right now migrant workers suffer and have no rights."  Really, he struck comedy gold.  

Congress, and subcommittee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif, should have exercised better judgment, and not allowed this to happen.

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