What are we looking for?

Like a lot people these days I get some of my news second hand, on you tube, from local papers, some viral video links, FB, the NY times and first and foremost from the dynamic duo over at Comedy Central; Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.

I enjoy Jon Stewarts candor and quasi-serious interviews and passionate opinions, although offset by satire and one-liners, still fully effective. I love Stephen Colbert's complete dedication to the persona that has created a country almost as big as the nation of Facebook. One thing I enjoy the most from both shows is that hidden behind all the layers of comedic distortion you'll find an honest passion about the situations that effect us all to the extent that they become the target of controversy and in this case ridicule. These guys are the kings of the hook, line and sinker.

One of the biggest pieces of news radiating from this duo is the upcoming Rally to Restore Sanity/March to Restore Fear, Washington Mall, Washington D.C. Like everyone else, I can't wait to see who shows up, what the topics of choice will be and what the aftermath will look like. However, I've recently read an article by Timothy Noah over at Slate about this Rally and how it is a bad idea for Democrats and Democracy in general. I wont go into detail about the article, you can read it for yourself, but I will mention this; he has a great point. Mr. Noah argues that Stewart and Colbert may have bitten off more than they can chew. The Rally has gone from a fun way to exploit they're following to create a dynamic and completely immersed form in which to extend from hook, line and sinker to chum, net and tug boat.

I personally feel that since the announcing of this Rally I have placed a keen eye on a lot of key issues and created an anticipation that now seems may be unsatisfied. One thing that I'm hoping, I'm sure that I am not alone in this, that some big names/players will step in the game with a little more than free buses to and stays in Washington. I think this is the fundamental point in Mr. Noah's article. Stewart and Colbert have stimulated and motivated something passionate, sincere and powerful but it's going to end in heartbreak because at the end of the day, Stewart and Colbert are comedians. Have Stewart and Colbert created a monster? I guess we won't know for sure until the 30th but what I believe will happen is that people, although ready for a live comedy performance, will still carry with them to the Rally a sense of duty and desire to be moved towards a substantial goal delineated by the common mind frame in attendance. Our current situation as a nation and as human beings needs more than exaggerated forms of ineffective solutions from the past. I believe that the people will walk away a little more clear headed about our situation; what is going on is so messed up we need late night Comedy Central to make us rally and tell us "This shit is F***** up!" I guess Comedy Central has always done this (i.e.: South Park) but to organize a political style rally really says something. I am also hoping that people will reflect to an extent that it becomes action and somewhere somehow creates a leader for a movement that is desperately needed. More than a political movement, a movement to evolution: I believe we are at the door of this evolution. I digress.

We are all looking for something to put ourselves behind that encompasses all of the other ideas, movements, political ideologies, social norms people have worked so hard to create for the greater good. If you watch or go to the Rally to Restore Sanity try to keep in mind that it is another door, its up to you.