BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10

Subject: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 12:02 AM

I don't think that is the point of the Rally. If it was it would not be countered simultaneously with a rally to promote fear.

I had a little insight on the rally a few minutes ago, which until a few minutes ago I had planned to attend, and I thought that I ought to share it.

Do you remember what Jon Stewart did on Crossfire a few years ago? He equally attacked both sides, "conservative" and Democrat.

Does it matter to him that 95% of the insanity nowadays is coming from the Tea Party/GOP/Big Money/Fox/"conservative talk radio" alliance? I don't think so. He is planning to make the two sides equivalent. If you don't see why that makes him part of the problem, then YOU are part of the problem.

God help us all, even the comedians have given up all hope.

But I'll probably go anyway. I suspect it will be very funny and we have lots of ideas for signs.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 12:33 AM

perhaps better discussed on the existing thread?

Oct. marches in Washington

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 08:24 AM

I just read that thread, except for your contribution it is pretty snide and mostly off topic. So no, if it is to be discussed, better on this thread than in a generic thread about "October Marches". The point that I have made stands on its own. The forces of evil are winning.

Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 12:11 PM

http://www.saneornot.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 12:42 PM

This is shaping up to be a really interesting phenomenal event!



A

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Mrrzy
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:29 PM

Where are the catters who are going, going to meet? Preferably around 11:30? Somewhere recognizable? Or precise? How about the southern side of 11th and Pennsylvania? 11th does not cross PA so we would meet on Penna ave, right across from the tail end of 11th st. That puts us about a block from the Mall, fairly in the middle.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Mrrzy
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:44 PM

Also, if I have a sign, it will likely say Dogma Bites. I rather like that, I came up with it myself!

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Ed T
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:47 PM

Are protest marches still effective in stimulating change?


Protest marches and change

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 01:57 PM

Are they Ed?

I'd rather read what you think then what "Lauren" thinks.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: akenaton
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 09:04 AM

Good idea, I was wondering where GoS had got to.
Back on the 30th is he/she?

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Wesley S
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 09:19 AM

Previous thread from Sept 17th

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 02:27 PM

If all goes according to plan we will be sitting on the lawn soaking up the sanity way before 11:30.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 02:39 PM

How can you restore sanity without nuking the Tea Party?

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 02:41 PM

Most influential man award.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Oct 10 - 07:07 PM

I know what I'm going as! A psychiatrist, of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 12:29 AM

If sanity gets restored, most 'Catters would have nothing to say!...They'd concentrate on their music!!

..As for me...I'm already fully restored!!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Ed T
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 06:48 AM

"I'd rather read what you think then what "Lauren" thinks."

Like Lauren suggests in her discussion, it likely depends on how lear the cause is gotten accross and whether there is a plan to take it beyond a one shot initiative.

I have seen some "one shot" protest marches act more as a relief valve, than an agent of change. In those cases people and movements exhausting their activism with the march. IMO, in those cases they did those they oppose a favour. The key is to have an organized, long lasting and strategic initiative, not relying on one action on one day.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: kendall
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 08:06 AM

If putting the republicans back in power after what they did is sanity, then I'm on the wrong side of the nut house wall.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 08:41 AM

I'm gonna sell Magic Marxists and tea shirts
I hope to clear $30K

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 10:43 AM

I remember watching a near teenage John Stewart the first day he took over the Daily Show from Ken.

I immediately had great hopes for the show.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 11:30 AM

>>>I have seen some "one shot" protest marches act more as a relief valve, than an agent of change. In those cases people and movements exhausting their activism with the march. IMO, in those cases they did those they oppose a favour. The key is to have an organized, long lasting and strategic initiative, not relying on one action on one day. <<<

Interesting point. It doesn't really apply to this rally. Beck announced a rally it as talk show host, most likely as a power trip and little else and seemed to have built the theme around those celebrities he could get to attended. It went from politics, to "civil rights" to religion. What was said on the podium that day was a typical mish-mash of Beckian pseudo-intelligent mumbo-jumbo. Jon Stewa

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 27 Oct 10 - 11:35 AM

Oops, hit the wrong key and the post got prematurely submitted...


Jon Stewart has had a lot of recent acclaim for mocking the very mockable Beck. Saturdays rally plans to take that mocking to a much higher level.

If it raises some money for the Mall and gets a few hundred thousand youths thinking about the election and out to the polls, so much the better. But that will be a side effect, not the goal.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:27 PM

It's being televised on Comedy Central. Wish I could have gone.

I think if the rally does anything, it will be to make a statement that people on both sides are tired of the over-the-top nature of the campaigns and the spewing forth of extremist rhetoric from campaigners and constituents alike. It will be interesting to see how people react.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:31 PM

I wish we could get Comedy Central.

News item... "Comedy Central's park permit puts the crowd estimate at 60,000."

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:37 PM

It's live on the internet: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear -- Click on "WATCH LIVE NOW". It's music now.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:45 PM

No work for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Amos
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:45 PM

160 thousand souls doing the wave. What a turn out!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 12:57 PM

Feed is available in UK... I still can't get it.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 01:00 PM

Any Canucks out there getting it?

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: bobad
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 02:49 PM

I am

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:05 PM

I got to watch the very end- starting with Jon's short summation- which I thought was quite eloquent.

Then Tony Bennett sang the chorus of America, the Beautiful, and then all the earlier entertainers trooped onto the stage and joined Ms. Staples in a last song.

BIG crowd.

Great event.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:14 PM

Looked good to me.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:23 PM

Gnu, I'm sorry you couldn't watch it.

John Stewart introduced Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam (Peace Train), who was interrupted by Stephen Colbert who intoduced Ozzy Ozborne (Off the Rails) who was interrupted by Jon, who... well, they ended up settling on the OJays who sang "Love Train," because love can bring sanity or be scary. There was Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Mavis Staples, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Roots, R2D2, Tony Bennett (not in that order) and probably others I'm forgetting. Mavis Staples did close the rally, and all (or nearly all?) of the performers were standing with her.

As humorous and entertaining as it was, I found myself tearing up from time to time. Jon Stewart spoke at the end, basically saying that people could work together, and did so every day. The only place they didn't was... and he pointed to the Capitol building. I dare say it's not the only place. Lots of hatred/demonizing on the internet, including Mudcat. I think the most comprehensive way I could describe the message was that we need to get along with folks and be able to laugh at ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 03:38 PM

It was on C-Span also...I saw the last 15-20 minutes. And I agree with Jeri that parts brought tears...mostly happy ones. I think everyone ought to hear that short talk by Stewart at the end.
He used humor so well to make a point: He said 'The pundits and media could focus their magnifying glass on the (paraphrasing)"real issues and problems", or they could use it to "set ants on fire...and then they could have a series on the terrible problem of burning ants"'
(I need to listen again to get the quote right.)

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Nancy King
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 06:43 PM

Woo hoo! I was there! HUGE crowd is putting it mildly. I'd say 160 thousand is underestimating -- I'd say over 200K. We (Dan and Geeta and I) were closer to the back than the front, and people were packed TIGHT! We could hear pretty well, but could see the jumbotrons only intermittently. It was fun, though, and everyone was good-natured and polite. That was the point, right? Metro was also jammed, but we managed to get home OK. Not something I'd want to do every day, but I'm glad I went.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:11 PM

Carol's stepmother said she heard on the news that there were 375,000 people at the rally. We couldn't see how many people were there because there were too many people in the way.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:21 PM

Gee... the news item I read said 60k... then you hear 375k... that's a tad different. I'd like to think even more that 375k. In any case, good on Stuart. He's a very intelligent lad and what he and his fellows do is very important. Perhaps this "protest rally" was a bit pretentious but that is part of the appeal which allows him to poke fun and expose bullshit which reaches a lot of people... for the better.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Bobert
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:25 PM

Well, I wanted to go but my plantar fascitis has been actin' up and figured that it'd be too much...

Sorry to have missed the TV but the P-Vine and I worked around the house...

Sniff...

But sounds like everyone had a good time and from what I saw on the news it was more of what America really looks like than the Tea Party rally...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:28 PM

I think (guess) the 60K was what they estimated would be the turnout for the permit. It was a number I saw before the rally even started.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: gnu
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 08:31 PM

Ahhhh... thanks Jeri.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 09:16 PM

Here's an article in USA Today.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 09:53 PM

I could not see if people were beyond the Washingtom Memorial but it was packed. I liked signs that said "THis is not a SIGN from God".
I saw Col. Sanders and the Swedish Chef. The grim reaper was there also.

Some quick pics

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/rs1.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/rs2.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/rs4.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/donuel/rs5.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 09:55 PM

Yeah Tony was great
Cat Stevens wasn't bad/

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 10:33 PM

more photos here

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Nancy King
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 11:13 PM

Good pix, Donuel! Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: akenaton
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 05:05 AM

Rather reminds me of the dance band on the Titanic.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jeri
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 09:50 AM

Jon Stewart's speech from Comedy Central, on YouTube.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: bobad
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 12:18 PM

The 100 Best Signs At The Rally To Restore Sanity And/Or Fear

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: saulgoldie
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 01:26 PM

Jon Stewart spoke passionately about the need to treat each other more gently and discuss issues with facts and reason rather than ad hominems. For me, the highlight was Yusuf (aka Cat Stevens) sang his song "Peace Train."

Yusuf exemplified for me the hundreds of thousands of Muslims who are peaceful and truly desire peace in the world, as opposed to the few thousands (hundreds? dozens?) of Muslims who have misinterpreted their sacred teachings.

I have resolved to speak more softly and refrain from calling names. I believe that the pen is truly mightier than the pen, as long as that pen is used wisely for the greatest good for the greatest number. Delta 365 fine nib with Private Reserve Tanzanite ink on Rhodia paper.

I also resolve to be more gentle in other ways, like my behavior in traffic, my relationships at work with my subordinates and managers, treatment of the environment, and in my dealings with other people to first offer an open hand of friendship rather than a closed fist of anger and fear. (Sorry Stephen, but Jon knocked you out of the park, metaphorically and reasonably speaking, of course.;))

I have red and reread the 613 Mitzvot that we Jews are commanded to obey, and taken them to heart. And if I can do it, than so can most of everybody. Imagine...

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Stringsinger
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 06:52 PM

You can't address the issue of sanity without questioning two meaningless wars of occupation by the US in the Middle East. It is a crazy pursuit. It has been missing from any of Jon Stewart's discussions on his show.

These wars are unwinnable. Perpetual war is not a sane solution which is now being offered by members of the military and some politicians.

Afghanistan is the longest war in American history and there has been no definitive constructive outcome regardless of the propaganda emanating from Mainstream Media.
The body count is just adding up.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 01:34 AM

As long as there is perpetual war, none of its fallen heros will have died in vain.


Proposed engraving for GWB memorial.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 01:37 AM

The 100 best signs from the above link were in no way the best signs of the 10,000 signs at the rally. I didn't see one I didn't like.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 10:25 AM

We live in HARD TIMES, not END TIMES!

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 10:26 AM

I didn't realize GfS was in need of restoration.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 12:05 PM

>>The 100 best signs from the above link were in no way the best signs of the 10,000 signs at the rally. I didn't see one I didn't like.<<<

I saw a small percentage, maybe .1 percent that were not in the spirit of the rally. Don't worry if you did not see them. There is a source. They are the focus of NPR "News" coverage of the rally.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 12:08 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/stewart-live-hard-times-end-times-12012680

ABC has excellent video coverage of the rally.

CBS.com has excellent reportage and photos.

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Nov 10 - 03:36 PM

Watch the whole thing here

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 03:10 PM

Keith Olbermann was not pleased with being equated to Fox at the rally. His ire is justified.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/#39959257

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: beardedbruce
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 03:19 PM

Rally to restore sanity 10/31/10

Republican gains in the election 11/2/10


Cause and effect??

Subject: RE: BS: Restore Sanity on 10/30/10
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Nov 10 - 05:23 PM

Maher makes sense!!