The Daily Show is one of the few places on the "tee vee machine" that really holds people accountable. Some people thought he wouldn't be able to go after Obama as hard as he went after Bush. Well last night, he proved his critics wrong. While Pres. Obama does get a lot of stuff right, he is HUMAN and he will get things WRONG sometimes. When you spend two years on the campaign trail saying one thing, and then you get into office and do another, it's healthy to get called out for it. Here's the video:
The stuff about the pictures isn't nearly as powerful as the blow he dealt with regard to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Jon said it perfectly:
America's war on terror has indeed tested our resolve. We've pushed the limits of our own principles, from warrantless wire-tapping, to building a prison out of our own legal jurisdiction, to not releasing photos depicting our treatment of detainees, to the treatment of detainees itself. Every asset we have must be used all in service of keeping America safe is there any line we still will not cross? (video about the gay serviceman that was just dismissed because of DADT). . . The one line America will not cross is the Chorus Line. Amazingly, in this time, in this time of national crisis, when we are using everything in our disposal to fight this insidious enemy. . .Dan Choi is one of 53 Arabic translators dismissed due to their sexual preference.
So it was okay to waterboard a guy over 80 times, but GOD FORBID the guy who could understand what that prick was saying. . . has a boyfriend? Waterboarding may make the prisoner talk, but it won't make him speak English.
Candidate Obama, what do you think about linguist like Dan Choi?
[Obama in video]: I have stated repeatedly that DADT makes no sense. Why would we not want able men and women who are willing to sacrifice our our behalf, why would we tell them 'no'?
Makes sense.
President Obama, what are you going to do about Dan Choi?
Anderson Cooper: The White House confirmed today that that White House will NOT interfere in current cases against men and women who admit they're gay.
Well, that that be a reminder, always check the fine print. (Yes we can, but that doesn't mean we are going to) Ah, fair enough.
I was cheering Jon on for going after Obama on this point. President Obama could EASILY keep Dan Choi from being dismissed, but he's not going to. In fact, wasn't there a letter posted like they day after the news about Choi came out where Obama once again said he's against DADT? I can understand why the LGBT community isn't exactly "enchanted" with Obama right now. He does seem to be going back on his word. What followed that segment totally put it into perspective about just how DUMB this situation is, it was DUMB under Bush, and it's still DUMB under Obama.
Jon Oliver clears it all up for us:
UPDATE Gibbs was questioned about Obama's willingness to intervene with the pictures but not on behalf of Gay soldiers. I think his answer was BS, but you can judge for yourselves (h/t goodservice: