Got Competence?

Finally there is a voice of reason amongst those that work in the media. Stephen Colbert  and Jon Steward have decided to put reason and logic back into politics.

http://www.keepfearalive.com/

Stephen Colbert is organizing the March to Keep Fear Alive. The idea behind this march is very simple. Colbert's message is that America was built on three bedrock principles: Freedom. Liberty. And Fear -- that someone might take our Freedom and Liberty. He wants to remind people that it is important to stand up for what you believe in even if you are not an activist extremist.

Colbert has also made the news recently for planning to testify before Congress. The United Farm Workers announced that Colbert will testify before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law with United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez. If you'd like to read more about his testimony please click here.

http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com/

The idea behind Jon Steward's Rally to Restore Sanity is just as brilliant as the Colbert's march, and also carries a very strong message. On the rally's website they call upon people who think shouting is annoying, counterproductive, and terrible for your throat; who feel that the loudest voices shouldn't be the only ones that get heard; and who believe that the only time it's appropriate to draw a Hitler mustache on someone is when that person is actually Hitler. Or Charlie Chaplin in certain roles. Among the signs suggested for the rally by Jon Steward himself:

"I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler"

"9/11 was an outside job"
"Got Competence?"
"I'm not afraid of Muslims, Tea Partiers, Socialists, Immigrants, Gun Owners or Gays ... but I am scared of spiders."
"Take it Down a Notch For America"

If humor can help rebalance politics by pointing out the absurdities of what currently passes for debate, it is far better than throwing more red meat into the arena. It's even better if the proponent punches both left and right as a matter of principle, as this rally promises to do.

Sometimes it is a little too late...

2 killed in Afghan protest over Quran-burning plan

On Saturday, the day before the planned Quran burning, Reverend Terry Jones decided not to go through with his plan. President Barack Obama said Friday that the idea that "we would burn the sacred texts of someone else's religion is contrary to what this country stands for." U.S. military leaders have advised Rev. Terry Jones that going forward with the Quran burning would put the American troops in danger. The planned Quran burning had sparked international condemnation.
Unfortunately, Rev. Terry Jones' announcement of his decision came too late. About 600 people protested in Afghanistan against the Quran burning, and the protest turned deadly on Sunday. Afghan security forces opened fire to prevent demonstrators from entering the offices of the governor of Baraki Barak district. Two of the protesters are dead and four more were injured. This is a devastating outcome for the Quran burning that did not even happen. The consequences the United States would have suffered if the plan did go through would have been unimaginable. Rev. Terry Jones has severely damaged United States' reputation with his intolerance towards Muslim religion. This could serve as a major recruiting tool for al Qaeda.
The message to be taken from this is: think before you speak or act. The whole world is suffering the consequences of one irresponsible man.