I heard about this a few days ago (read it here, among other places: http://www.mtv.com/chooseorlose/headlines/news.jhtml?id=1492305 ). What I don't get is why you say "Apparently, the guy ain't so funny when he's called out on issues". What issues? The Kerry interview? In the Stones article I cited earlier, it mentioned that appearance by Kerry on Stewart's show, and how Stewart realized he completely missed the boat in grilling Kerry. I can see why he didn't say that to Tucker Carlson, though.

Stewart went on Crossfire to blast the show's format and its hosts, and that's what he did. He did that in the Rolling Stones article I read. He hates how the news on CNN is predigested and unintelligent and nothing more than "he says, she says." In the article he mentioned Crossfire specifically. It doesn't surprise me he went on Crossfire and shook things up a bit.

Stewart, I think we'll agree, is funny because he speaks the truth. His humor is an outlet for his views on things. Yeah, he wasn't funny on Crossfire, but I think he knew going on that show that that was his moment to be blunt and be serious. On his show, talking about Crossfire, he can be funny. But the guy's a man on a mission, and you've got to expect him to be serious now and again, especially in venues other than his show.

I agree with you, Henry, except, I don't think he speaks the truth as much as he speaks what he believes is the truth. The truth is not relative. There definitely is truth, but in a world where man is inherently not perfect, it's very difficult to discern what the truth really is. This is something that should be discussed in anything but just a small comment.

As with all of us, we say things believing we are correct, but it's not up to us to decide who is ultimately telling the truth. Not saying we're all wrong when we say thing, or vice-versa, but I also don't necessarily think that shaking things up on Crossfire corrects what he missed with Kerry on his show. I think that stirring things up on HIS show would get the ball rolling in a better direction. It's just like when you get convicted of something that you did (not criminally, just morally), but instead of correcting the imperfections within yourself, you take it out on others. Am I right?

Jon, your point about the truth being relative is true (ha, that's a pun... or something :) ). I guess I just happen to agree with much of what Stewart says and believes -- as I think you and Emily do, as well, at least in terms of the media and hypocrisy.

But Stewart didn't go on Crossfire to correct his bungled interview with Kerry, and he, I bet, would be the first to say that. I'm sure Stewart knows he isn't perfect, but that's not going to stop him from trying to change things -- in this case, the way the media deals with politics. Stewart wasn't taking anything out on the Crossfire folks besides his rightful indignation that those people, along with many others, help "the politicians and the corporations and we're left out there to mow our lawns," in the words of Stewart himself.