“We, The People of these United (lol) States of America, being of unsound mind and pear-shaped body, declare this to be our Last Will & Testament…” READ IT ON MEDIUM
Hey –
How are you?
I’m coming out of a bit of a funk. Since about Nov 9. Spent 5 hours on air Nov 8 and, for some reason, haven’t felt great since 😉
In addition to my constant Twitter (follow me), I’ve started writing pieces over at Medium. One on Amazon Go & the pain of paying, another on Republican Fear v. Democratic Fear.
I’ve spilled a lot of thoughts on this election over the last 18 months – on stage, on air, on Twitter, Facebook & a therapist’s couch – so go chase those down for some funny and fun.
Here are my thoughts just before midnight strikes to being this Election Day.
The Civil Rights Movement.
Do you remember when you learned about it?
To me, that was the greatest of the greatness of America.
That was what inspired me about our country, gave me pride, taught me to respect and revere our leaders, even those with whom I did not agree.
Not the World Wars (into which we were reluctantly & tardily dragged), not the Cold War (for the end of which we give ourselves too much credit), certainly not the financial innovations…
but Civil Rights.
All Men Are Created Equal.
It took us almost 200 years to even come close to realizing that self-evident truth.
We have a long, LONG way to go, but we are moving forward believe it or not. The steps of those who walked beside Thurgood Marshall’s long, steady road for justice – and to Justice – moved us along & many have continued the journey.
On Election Day, we have a choice:
1. A man who represents – in symbol, in action, and in words – the very opposite of this great America. A man who would sacrifice every gain We, The People have made in service of He, The Man. A man unworthy of our greatness.
Or
2. A woman who has dedicated her life to public service (you may think some was also dedicated to her own service, but, frankly, if you want a 100% selfless president, he’s about to leave office).
A woman who has faced more obstacles, baseless hatred and blind derision than anyone I’ve seen since the that Civil Rights era. She has faced them with a grace and a passion and a dignity I dare say few of us could muster.
A woman whose very ascension – yes, *as a woman* – will accelerate our sprint towards the greatness that we have long pursued. A greatness we may not deserve, but a greatness we must demand, from leaders, our future and ourselves.
Missed a bunch of stuff like media appearances, speaking gigs, conferences, comedy shows and on and on – I’m not good at updating the blog so go Twitter or Facebook – but Nov 2 I’m participating in a debate in Cincinnati, swing state, trying to save the Republic. It’s my Hamilton moment. My one shot.
If you or yours are handy, come on over.
Lots happening, little time to update this blog. Sorry.
Go Twitter or Facebook for actual news, opinions & cat pics (no cat pics).
In the meantime, a quick newsdump:
1. We at The Final Edition just released an album.
It’s officially National Lampoon‘s first original album in 35 years (because we distro partnered with them to help rebuild their brand), but, really, the content, concept & execution is all us. Me, Tony Hendra, Barry Lank.
Listen, buy, rate & review (important!), share. iTunes or CD Baby or TheFinalEdition.com
2. I just taped a segment for a cool new TV show coming to Epix TV. I got to play a wise-cracking political comedian/pundit on a tv panel show… so it was a stretch.
3. We – Final Edition again – also just produced a 3-part series on the Supreme Court for Howl (i.e. Earwolf) out later this month.
4. The Comedy Against Evil political tour rolls on into oblivion. Book it before Trump outlaws laughter.
5. I’m participating in an campaign debate – actually debating, not just wisecracking – the week before the election IN OHIO so I’ll probably swing the whole thing. Wish me luck.
6. There was some other stuff – the NY Times likes the album, I’m doing my first talks on Behavioral Economics & the psychology of money next month for Duke and for Ann Taylor/LOFT, Donald Trump is basically following the playbook of my book (Get Rich Cheating), I’ve done projects recently with both geniuses and idiots but it’s hard to tell them apart, and I need more sleep – but who has time for all that?
LT & Associates and Comedy Against Evil presents a political comedy night in Sunnyvale, CA.
Come drink, laugh and meet some of the biggest players in Bay Area politics on this fun, funny, and fun… damentally important night.
We’ll LOL about everything significant, important, and newsworthy… and also about Trump.
Advance tickets (recommended) here.
Much more info on this Facebook page here.
With Jeff Kreisler (MSNBC, CNN, FoxNews, Comedy Central)
Johnny Steele (Live 105, KRON’s The Show, wears hats)
Nato Green (SF Weekly’s Best Comedian, Totally Biased, Iron Comic)
Dhaya Lakshminarayanan (2016 Liz Carpenter Political Humor Award)
& surprise political guests galore… (more…)
Hey! Have I told you about Political Tale, this storytelling show I’m running. We’ve done three, had an Academy Award winner, a commune survivor, a hate-group infiltrator, a guy who snuck into Syria and many more. It’s all stories that somehow tie to politics. Not Trump jokes, but real life tales about how politics impacts our real lives. It’s pretty great, I must say.
Next show is Saturday, April 30. Many wonderful, famous people will attend. More importantly, many unheard, unbelievable, and unforgettable stories will be told.
Has it really been since January? Been busy – 2 books brewing, lots of political comedy – on air, on tour, on Rabble.tv, on twitter & facebook – and much much more.
Here, while we wait, are some new campaign posters from the remaining candidates…
I was on FoxNews’ RedEye show last week. Host Tom Shillue is a funny, kind man. Tucker Carlson no longer wears bowties. It was scary in the building. SOOOO SCARY. Also, things were said that were wrong/rude/horrid – but I couldn’t contradict everything. It’s a lighthearted humor show. I’ll save the battle for another day.
Below are the few clips that made it online. It was a full 60 minute visit.
I may put together the rest, or some best of moments, from my own recording soon.
Until then… do whatever one does.
I’m sure many of you have read about newspapers on the internet. Well, one of those dinosaurs decided to have me write about the recent AP History kerfuffle.
Snip:
By teaching kids to become unquestioning cogs in a massive economic machine, we’ll remove critical thinking from their brains, leaving room for more exceptionalism, more patriotism, more America.
After all, “more” is just an anagram for “Rome.” And don’t we want our children’s future to burn as brightly as the great Republic of Rome?
I haven’t posted them (because I’m lazy?), but I’ve had a buncha media appearances the last few months, including the HuffpostLive spot below and regularly on John Fugelsang‘s new Sirius/XM show “Tell Me Everything” (listen to it!).
A compilation of 12 essays that are political, provocative and hilarious, “Laughing Liberally: Letters to the American Voter” has arrived just in time for the 2014 elections–a perfect escape from campaign fever, or an early holiday gift for your favorite liberal.
With topics ranging from the Right-Wing War on Women to Islamophobia, corporate greed to Congressional corruption, “Laughing Liberally: Letters to the American Voter” is a funny, ferocious and festive addition to any liberal library.
Here I am, publishing an article advocating for tax evasion as public policy. But, before you judge, keep in mind that I’m just following the lead of many others… in this case, one specific one.
Hi all. I don’t have enough time to post all the awesome things in the world, but I’ll share this: The Final Edition’s YouTube Channel is taking off.
Please check it out, share, & subscribe.
I’ll post some of our thrice weekly videos here more frequently, but, in the interim, here are a few that have been featured on Huffington Post.
Click, comment & share.
On the tube again (June 26, 2013), talking DOMA, Prop 8, Wendy Davis’ TX Abortion Filibuster, Anthony Weiner’s rise, ahem, in the polls, ahem, and, of course, who Kreisler would gay marry.