OK, I don't really like Bill Maher, but I never can quite put my finger on why. I laugh, but only a little bit, and feel like ultimately, his thoughts aren't particularly witty or original, and maybe even do a disservice by devoting even more attention to headlines that couldn't possibly get any more.

In this case, I laugh at the idea of reinstating Michael Brown for the purpose of firing him, but then I lament that we would kid ourselves even for a second that Michael Brown was the root of the problem.

Michael Brown is not just old news at this point, but he's a mere symptom of the larger problem that Bill Maher inadvertently encourages us to ignore. For starters, Chertoff is more culpable for the aftermath of Katrina than Brown: he had almost as little experience, he had more authority to act (and failed to do so), and instead of resigning himself, he read out Michael Brown's resignation, as though justice had now been served.

(Oh, and at the administration's request, he delayed this announcement so as to not derail the president's coinciding photo op.)

(Oh, and at this photo op were 50 firefighters who had just been flown in for the photos).

(Oh, and these 50 firefighters were coming from Atlanta, to which they had previously been shipped for training as "community relations officers for FEMA". Apparently, "community relations" at FEMA means something vastly different from "helping people".)

Besides, the top two officials under Brown at FEMA (who remain) are just as unqualified. Why isn't Bill talking about them?

And just in case, depsite all this, you were able to believe for a second that the federal response had more to do with helping poor people than helping the administration's public image, Karl Rove has been placed in charge of the reconstruction effort.

And no, this cronyism is not unique to FEMA.

And Bill Maher continues to get giddy about Brown's resignation? Please.

I know Bill's just a comedian, and not fit for comparison, but go read Frank Rich's latest editorial for a more insightful review of current events. (pick up a NY Times login here)

I like Maher, but I'm also completely in agreement with Brandon. To talk about having Brownie's head, or Chertoff's, or Rove's, is to miss the urgency of this situation. Nothing less than impeachment will do. Now I had my share of fun with Brownie too; but what I was writing about there was the larger point about deceit as an institutional identity. As I mentioned today, while also referring to Frank Rich's column, the spin is coming unspun and it's tangling these guys. We have to make sure that Congress (and the media) don't let them off the hook again. They must fall—every last one of these criminals against humanity and Nature; and the sooner, the better.

Heh. OK, so I just watched Norm's other clip of Maher ("New Rules"). There's some redemption in that one. (I laughed quite a bit harder.)

To add my 2 cents:

Yeah, it's funny to watch Maher and Stewart. Yes, I look forward to seeing their clips.

But, is that all we do? I agree with the posters above. When do we get off our arse and do something!

Saturday, September 24th - March on Washington to end the war on Iraq and call for Impeachment.

be there or be in despair