Northern Valley Beacon

Humor, satire, and parody have been important parts of American politics since Ben Franklin (and before him in the colonies). However, there is a huge literary distinction between humor that is sharp-witted and exposes some absurdities in the political system and humor that is dull-witted, bludgeoning and exposes the minds of the peope who think it is funny. Totalitarian movements have been predicated on that last kind of pretense to humor. When the Nazis mounted their hate campaign against the Jews they used debased stereotypes, false portrayals, and that school-yard-bully brand of taunt and derision to pull the witless into their way of thinking. In the Soviet Union, true wit is a main factor in helping to bring down the old Marxist regime. However, the party used those stereotype-filled portrayals of the capitalistic west to foment anger and hatred.

In comtemporary America, the bully-bludgeons are at work on what they call "liberals." Radio talk show Tammy Bruce, for example, contends that narcissism, the ardent fascination and absorption with one's self, is an identifying characteristic of liberalism. She suggest that this endemic defect of psychology and character is the motivating factor in liberalism.

While her "diagnosis" has absolutely no rational credibility, it is the kind of thing that appeals to the witless need for something to hate that possesses an alarming number of Americans. It is the kind of mass slander that the Nazis carried out against the Jews and the Soviets carried out against the west in order to martial support for their regimes. To the regressives in the conservative camp, liberalism is a huge threat, and they try to personalize it. Two South Dakota blogs (being joined by numerous others of late) typify the need to slander, assassinate character, and offer malevolent stereotypes of anyone who does not bow to their party line.

Following is an e-mail I received from members of the regressive camp. Under the guise of a "joke," it manages to cast its witless aspersions on almost everything and anything that does not fit their stereotyped view of the world. They did, however, leave out the Jews and western capitalists. And in its stunning stupidity, it reveals that the biggest issue in American politics today is, in fact, mental health.


Upcoming 2006 Democratic Convention agenda

6:00 p.m. - Opening flag burning ceremony.

6:05 p.m. - Opening prayers by Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton

6:30 p.m. - Anti-war concert by Barbara Streisand.

6:40 p.m. - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

7:00 p.m. - Tribute theme to France.

7:10 p.m. - Collect offerings for al-Zawahari defense fund.

7:25 p.m. - Tribute theme to Germany.

7:45 p.m. - Anti-war rally (Moderated by Michael Moore)

8:25 p.m. - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.8:30 p.m. - Terrorist appeasement workshop.

9:00 p.m. - Gay marriage ceremony (both male and female couples)

9:30 p.m. - * Intermission *

10:00 p.m. - Posting the Iraqi Colors by Sean Penn and Tim Robbins

10:10 p.m. - Re-enactment of Kerry's fake medal toss.

10:20 p.m. - Cameo by Dean 'Yeeearrrrrrrg!'

10:30 p.m. - Abortion demonstration by N.A.R.A.L.

10:40 p.m. - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

1 0:50 p.m. - Pledge of allegiance to the UN.

11:00 p.m. - Multiple gay marriage ceremony (threesomes, mixed and same sex). Rep. Barney Frank (D,Mass.), Sponsor

11:15 p.m. - Maximizing Welfare workshop.

11:30 p.m. - 'Free Saddam pep rally led by Jane Fonda.

11:59 p.m. - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.

12:00 a.m. - Nomination of democratic candidate.

With any luck maybe we can get Ted Kennedy to drive Hillary home from the convention?

Butchdog Jones
Nuke em' til they glow.Then shoot em' in the dark!