Wanda Sykes.....

I love the White House Correspondence Dinners... For one - it brings a small moment of levity in times where levity might not be possible. For two - it's almost like a Washington Roast ... with all the fixings. We loved it when Colbert was there (and the "scaled back performance" of Rich Little the year after) ... and the hilarity that comes with it.

Now tonight, we watched it on MSNBC - which is always slammed for being so liberal-left on things -- and the wrap up afterwards would leave one to believe that they just watched something on Fox News... Which is fine - I don't have any problem with anyone really coming out and saying that Wanda said something inappropriate or wrong....

....but then I have to start thinking of all the right wing trash that constantly attacks the democrats and liberals IN THE EXACT SAME LIGHT .... oh - the pity that the Republicans are being (mockingly) "victimized" despite being unable to wash their own hands in their same mud....

And the likes of Pat Buchannan being mysteriously quiet about ... yet condemning Wanda's performance was being "over the top...." Right Pat -- call a spade a spade for once.

What Wanda did is bring out and expose the Republican hypocrisy for what it is. It's okay to chant "kill Obama" from the crowd, but you can't wish for some flamboyant talk show host's kidney to fail......

What Wanda did - was to expose the Republicans by handing them a mirror. Look at yourself - and see how ugly you make your party out to be. Wanda slapped the right side of the aisle in the same petulant stroke they've been dishing out for the last two years. In my humble opinion - the Republicans deserved to be seered tonight and their flaws need to be exposed for what they are.

If the Republicans can't handle what they dish out -- then maybe they need to find a different soup line....

A Tip of the Hat

There's been a deafening absence in mainstream media about what actually transpired at the White House Correspondents Dinner.. Traditionally this is a light-hearted event, a roast if you will that allows the press club to poke fun at the President of the United States..

...the only problem is, this President has a really limited scope of humor...

I'm not saying that Bush didn't make the attempt to have fun, but one could tell that it was rather .... forced.. Laura Bush's particular coldness after Stephen Colbert's presentation spoke volumes in not what was heard, but what was seen.....

Mainstream media spoke in the same volumes as the First Lady..

"He just wasn't funny.." I guess that largely depends on which side of America you're sitting on.. Given that Bush's approval rating has now dipped under the 30% mark - which hasn't happened since Nixon.. So - I'm assuming the majority of the 70% that disapprove of Bush's presidency would actually probably enjoy Colbert's rapport....

But Stephen's stingers weren't just aimed at the President and the cabinet.. He took the opportunity to attack the media for pursuing facts that make Bush look bad.. What's worse is that the press has chosen its fights carefully for whatever fear the administration is laying out.. Condemning Bush almost seems to be a crime..

But thankfully the majority beyond the 29% are starting to recover from their "kool-aid" fog.. Thankfully the press is starting to realize this too - and they have *finally* started doing what they should've been doing since 2001 which is to hold this President accountable for what he's done.. No more free passes.. No more excuses.. No more streamlining announcements..

Reporters are starting to awaken once again..

...except the Administration is seeking legislation to prevent any other leaks from emerging on the basis that they endanger the security of the United States...

Um...

Mr. President..

Not sure how to say this..

...but you've endangered the security of the United States in ways that we can't even begin to describe.. Whether we're talking about Katrina, Plame, Iraq or Dubai.. Take your pick.. "The Decider" has endangered this country in ways we'll have to fix for the next decade.. (assuming that it can be fixed..)

So if we can't criticize the administration, then folks like Stephen Colbert's performance matters even more because their frequency and audience.. Since the press refuses to hold the administration accountable I give you Mr. Colbert, a Tip of the Hat and a profound thank you..