No, Mercer is not a "Canadian national treasure." He is not funny...even though he raises his eyebrows, hobnobs with powerful political figures, and has a Newfoundland accent, I must tell you that these amazing qualities do not translate automatically into humour. His entire career produces fewer laughs than do Stewart/Colbert on ONE good night.
Second, he is most famous for a smug bit of nationalist attack journalism called "Talking to Americans." Undoubtedly editing the myriad smart and insightful responses blithely out of the segment, he works diligently at trying to make Americans look stupid, all the while mugging for the camera like a drunken frat boy. The Americans, you will notice, are one and all extremely friendly and polite, which plainly marks Mercer as a douchebag of monumental proportions.
Finally, he throws tantrums when people dare to disagree with the war in Afghanistan. Taking his cues from the reactionary Right, he cites "the troops" as evidence of the conflict's righteousness, this being the limit of his knowledge on the matter, and so declaring his military fetishism for all to see. And anyone--anyone--who says "support the troops" as an answer to war's critics is a moral relativist, as well as an unintelligent little knuckledragger.
That's Rick Mercer.
2. Bill Maher
The single most smug man in all entertainment media, he can't disagree with anyone without drawling in his world-weary way and laughing at the stupidity of all mere humans. He's insufferable. I hope he becomes a Born Again Christian, only to discover that Jesus doesn't want him.
3. Keith Olbermann
He's the Charles Krauthammer of leftish punditry: occasionally intelligent and interesting, but usually boneheaded as only abject partisans can be.
He first criticized (strongly and loudly) Bush's free-for-all, Corporatist domestic spying plan, calling it an affront to liberty. Which it decidedly is, yes. But when Obama chose to continue it, displaying his own Bushian ambivalence on issues of freedom, Olbermann did an about-face, whining about "the left's" unwillingness to support Obama's (actually Bush's) program. And he performed this jaw-dropping turnaround without even seeming to realize that he WAS doing it. He is the final proof that people who adore their political heroes make themselves immediately stupid.
4. Chris Matthews
Ok, not really fair: liberals and conservatives agree that he's an embarassment. As Jon Stewart said, "This guy is one scotch away from being Ron Burgundy."
Edited by bloodyminded, 31 January 2010 - 04:47 AM.
