New Rule: If Bill Maher Wants Us to Get Together, He Actually Has to Do Something

[I'mNotDedalus]

Yesterday, Bill Maher issued a New Rule in which he stated, "If America can't get its act together, it must lose the bald eagle as our symbol and replace it with the YouTube video of the puppy that can't get up."

He goes on to express (valid, IMO) disappointment with the Obama administration for only providing hopeful rhetoric and not concrete reformative results. Maher balks at the Baucus bill for not taking effect (if passed) for four years and a bill that wouldn't enforce new mediocre mileage standards until 2016, yet he uses the 8-year-gap between Kennedy's promise to put a man on the man and the Apollo 11 mission as evidence of past efficacy.

Despite the episode having very interesting and hilarious interviews with Michael Moore, Paul Krugman, and John Waters, this isn't his best or funniest New Rule; in fact, it's rather formless. And inevitably, Maher points a finger at USiAn dietary trends as a possible cause for our inability to demand more from Obama:

Did you know that we eat the same high-fat, high-carb, sugar-laden shit that's served in prisons and in religious cults to keep the subjects in a zombie-like state of lethargic compliance? Why haven't Americans arisen en masse to demand a strong public option? Because "The Bachelor" is on. We're tired and our brain stems hurt from washing down French fries with McDonald's orange drink.

Admittedly, Maher is only television comedian, so I don't expect much from him in the way of nuanced socio-economic or political commentary. I think he can be pretty damned funny at times, but I'm beginning to think that his anger and sense of civic responsibility is disingenuous. I mean, if he's so frustrated with what he perceives as a collective lethargy in this country, why doesn't he actually do something about the public option? With his celebrity, he could potentially rally significant marches for the cause across the country rather than just piss about it on HBO. The same could really be said about Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

...I realize it's a bit pathetic to moan about TV stars in such a way, but this is Rantidote.

[Jahungo]

I'm not really familiar with Maher's stuff, but you could argue that just by using their platform on television to get their opinions out to a young audience, they're already doing more than almost anyone else to get something done.

[I'mNotDedalus]

Originally Posted by Jahungo

I'm not really familiar with Maher's stuff, but you could argue that just by using their platform on television to get their opinions out to a young audience, they're already doing more than almost anyone else to get something done.

I understand your (and Ana's) point, but just airing an opinion on television strikes me as comparable to Obama just airing an opinion through a speech, both simply forms of emptyish rhetoric. I see a bit of a disconnect with Maher criticizing Obama for doing something that he (categorically) does every weekend.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by I'mNotDedalus

I understand your (and Ana's) point, but just airing an opinion on television strikes me as comparable to Obama just airing an opinion through a speech, both simply forms of emptyish rhetoric. I see a bit of a disconnect with Maher criticizing Obama for doing something that he (categorically) does every weekend.

a) Bill Maher isn't an elected representative.

b) I'd say that presenting informed political discussion to the masses every week is a pretty substantive effort.

[I'mNotDedalus]

Originally Posted by snopes

a) Bill Maher isn't an elected representative.

b) I'd say that presenting informed political discussion to the masses every week is a pretty substantive effort.

Certainly, but when he goes from having political discussions with respected guests to complaining into the camera that we, as a people, aren't doing enough, isn't it a valid question to ask of him: "Well, what are you doing?" Having televised informative discourse doesn't rank too high, for me, on a list of pragmatic achievements in the way of achieving, say, universal health care.

[keokuk]

Originally Posted by I'mNotDedalus

Certainly, but when he goes from having political discussions with respected guests to complaining into the camera that we, as a people, aren't doing enough, isn't it a valid question to ask of him: "Well, what are you doing?" Having televised informative discourse doesn't rank too high, for me, on a list of pragmatic achievements in the way of achieving, say, universal health care.

What would you propose that he do instead? I would arguethat your original suggestion of rallying marches across the country would be equally, if not less, pragmatic than what he is doing now.

[Ana Ng]

I watch Bill Maher every week, and politically, he's probably been more of an influence on me* than anyone. I love him. And for some reason, I do think he's genuine, even though he's kinda dickish and smarmy sometimes.

But I could never see him "rallying marches" or anything like that- it just doesn't seem like his bag, baby. Also though, it could be argued that he is *doing* something. His show is probably popular and the roster of guests is good, but I'd imagine it works to crystallize the kind of annoyance and outrage that exists in a lot of viewers and that can be a positive contribution.

I don't know, I just can't see it.

*politically.

[Mr. Billion]

Originally Posted by I'mNotDedalus

Kennedy's promise to put a man on the man

Further proof that the influence of the radical homosexual agenda is rampant in the Democrat Party!

[Sister Ray]

And of course, any death after the vaccine will be spun as caused by it. Take the girl in England who collapsed and died after receiving Gardasil. The cause of death on autopsy was a massive tumor in her chest, but that didn't stop anti-vaxers and other nuts from claiming right away the vaccine killed her.

Sister "unless they argue the vaccine was the cause of the tumor and it developed in that short time..." Ray

[Simply Madeline]

Originally Posted by ganzfeld

OK, but I think it is a pretty legitimate question: Why should we care what comedians think? Why would you do something a comedian wanted you to do - wether or not she does something?

Isn't that pretty much the question that started this thread?

From the first post:

Originally Posted by I'mNotDedalus

Admittedly, Maher is only television comedian, so I don't expect much from him in the way of nuanced socio-economic or political commentary. I think he can be pretty damned funny at times, but I'm beginning to think that his anger and sense of civic responsibility is disingenuous. I mean, if he's so frustrated with what he perceives as a collective lethargy in this country, why doesn't he actually do something about the public option? With his celebrity, he could potentially rally significant marches for the cause across the country rather than just piss about it on HBO. The same could really be said about Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

...I realize it's a bit pathetic to moan about TV stars in such a way, but this is Rantidote.