Stewart: Bush, McCain have 'memory loss' on invading countries David Edwards and Stephen C. Webster

Published: Friday August 15, 2008





Print This Email This How serious is the conflict between Russia and Georgia? So serious, President Bush has decided to delay his vacation to Crawford by 'a day or two,' said spokeswoman Dana Perino. "Well, I hope you're happy, Russia!" jeered a comically indignant Jon Stewart on Thursday night's Daily Show. But, said the host, it is 'short-term memory loss,' and probably not delayed vacations, that the administration should be concerned about. "Our president was trying to get a little brush clearing R&R in, between his visit to the Olympics and the beginning of football season," said Stewart. "Now who's gonna clear the brush? His team of professional landscapers?" The host added: "We always know the president is pissed off when he starts talking in nonsensical absolutes that he, himself, would never follow." The show transitioned to a video clip of Bush, stating: "Russia has invaded a sovereign, neighboring state, and threatens a democratic government, elected by its people. Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century." Snapping his right hand, Stewart fluttered his eyelids and jeered, "Russia is so 20th century! This century is all about preemptive strikes." Sec. of State Condoleezza Rice, recently dispatched to Georgia, surely holds "a more nuanced, less stunningly oblivious view," the host sarcastically opined. "This is not 1968," said Rice during a recent news conference. "... Where Russia can threaten its neighbors, occupy a capital, overthrow a government, and get away with it. Things have changed." Stewart, uncomfortably glancing at his surroundings, belted, "Do you guys have any short-term memory? Anything? Yeah, no, let's be clear about it. You can't just overthrow a government, occupy a capital, knock over their statues, stack their prisoners, refer to the horrific levels of civilian casualties as 'birth pangs of democracy' ..." Though his comments, the on-screen graphics displayed iconic, and iconoclastic, imagery of the US occupation of Iraq. Of course, what fun would a foreign war be to the Daily Show if the presidential candidates weren't hopping into the 'commander-in-chief simulator, to play a little make-believe'? "The situation in Georgia remains fluid and dangerous," said Sen. McCain. "As soon as possible, my colleagues Sen. Lieberman and Sen. Graham will be traveling, they're both mem ... Uh, to Georgia." Confused, Stewart shrugged. "You're just some f*ing guy! You can't deploy ambassadors. You were mad when Obama shook hands with the leader of Jordan. Now you're sending envoys?" The host joked that because he has as much authority as McCain on the Russia-Georgia crisis, he'll be sending over Don Rickles and Jimmy "J.J." Walker. "Why not?" he asked. "See what they can do ..." "In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations," said McCain near the close of Stewart's segment. Flashing an image of McCain embracing Bush, Stewart grinned and cracked, "You have learned your lesson well, grasshopper." This video is from Comedy Central's The Daily Show, broadcast August 14, 2008.

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