Hope was funny
Did political humour die yesterday in Washington? Consider this: In an interview with The New York Times, comedian Dan Gregor pondered the bleak future of his trade: "It's the death of comedy. We've entered the era of sincerity. That's unfortunate because sincerity is pretty bland. But if it makes the world better, I'll give up sarcasm."
Poor Dan Gregor. He clearly does not belong to the tradition of Dryden, Pope and Swift, who understood that there is no conflict between satire and belief, especially the kind of cultish belief that has become associated with President Obama's more irrational supporters. If the great satirists of yore could communicate with Dan Gregor, they would tell him that satire is especially needed in times of high moral stances against which the satirized can be measured, and mocked when they lapse.
But there's always Hope — Bob Hope. Here are a few of his political barbs:
"I always like to go to Washington D.C. It gives me a chance to visit my money." — After touring the US Treasury.
"I don't know what people have against Jimmy Carter. He's done nothing." — On President Carter.
"Ronnie's hero is Calvin Coolidge and Nancy's is Calvin Klein." — On the Reagans.
"Everything Reagan does, Gorbachev does him one better. Reagan wears the flag of his country on his lapel. Gorby wears the map of his country on his forehead." — On Mikhail Gorbachev's prominent birthmark.
"It's so cold here in Washington, D.C., that politicians have their hands in their own pockets." — After attending President Bill Clinton's inauguration on 20 January 1993.
Heard the one about Change? No. Didn't think so.
