Stephen Colbert Testifying at Congress

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   Never_Forgetposted 13 years ago

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1T75jBYeCs
   
   Did anyone get to see this yet? Stephen Colbert testifies to congress that America relies on migrant farm workers to produce and pick our crops.
   
   He did it all in character. I personally thought it was hilarious. Others may be angry that we "wasted tax money" on him. I think he made his point very clear he just happened to use humor with it. He eventually was asked to leave and just leave his written comments. I think they changed their mind shortly after that though.
   
   Anyone going to either Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert's Rally on October 30?

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      Never_Forgetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I seriously can't believe a single person hasn't replied to this in 6 hours! That's incredible to me. Guess if it doesn't have to do with religion it's pointless.

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   Sweetsusiegposted 13 years ago

   Have to check out your link, it was removed from Yahoo... LOL  Must have been good!

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      Never_Forgetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My favorite part was when he said:
      
      "For one thing, when you're picking beans, you have to spend all day bending over. It turns out--and I did not know this--most soil is at ground level. If we can put a man on the moon why can't we make the earth waste-high!?"

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   I only just saw your post now.
   I absolutely ADORE Mr. Colbert -- even more than Jon Stewart, which is saying a lot.
   Although not generally a proponent of film or TV stars going into politics, in his case I'd make an exception. He's friggin hilarious!
   I'll check out your video. MM

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   Sweetsusiegposted 13 years ago

   That was hilarious!  As far as wasting tax payer money, all anyone has to do is check the people of the panel.  One was busy texting... 
   
   Leave it to Stephen Colbert, it was great.

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   Only thing missing was identification of the Congressmembers shown on camera -- I'd love to know who they were. I did recognize our own Dan Lundgren (R Gold River, CA) looking typicaly Danesque .
   Pretty funny to see the audience's reactions. They didn't quite know how to take him.

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   Never_Forgetposted 13 years ago

   Here is a link to the same video but it has an extra 5 minutes at the end where he does Q & A with the Congress members without being in character. He seems to genuinely care about this issue and it's crazy how he is only 1 of 16 people all over America who took the "Take Our Jobs" offer.
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy25NFH69gk

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   So what side of the issue is he on, for real?
   Is he saying we should appreciate our immigrant labor more because the jobs they do are very tedious and difficult (and, frankly, jobs that Americans do NOT want to do)?

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      Never_Forgetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think you got it for the most part. I think he just doesn't like how we rely on them so much but at the same time want to keep them out, deport them, and treat them like dirt.
      
      Not only are they doing some of the hardest work, but also for low pay, no benefits, no real rights, and the work itself is vitally important to OUR culture and economy.
      
      When he went to go work with them for a day, it was part of a govn't program that was launched to help reduce the unemployment rate among american citizens. The owners of these farms and such offered to let anyone in America work for them and only 16 people did (please someone correct me if I'm wrong; I'm not sure if I have heard ALL the details of the program or just some). That just shows how so few people are willing to do that kind of work, even with unemployment rates so high. People would rather be jobless and broke than do that work. Therefore, let the immigrants keep their "stolen jobs", and give them some rights as a "thank you".
      
      However, on the other side of the spectrum, many people have a justifiable argument that many Americans probably WOULD do that work, but not for such a low pay rate as the immigrants. But then that would hurt the economy by driving up the cost of food. It's a catch 22 I guess.

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   I live in California's central valley -- produce basket to the country. Americans will NOT do that work, even if the jobs were unionized and paid $25 an hour with full benefits.
   Which, of course, will never happen.
   The film "A Day Without a Mexican" shows it so clearly.
   We are quite hypocritical -- more than content enjoying immigrant picked produce because it's cheap and letting them clean our houses and offices and work in our hotels.
   But then turn around and accuse them of stealing jobs from Americans.

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