Detailed analysis over stephen colberts rally to reatore sanity that was held 10/30/10 - Essay Example

It might not be a tall claim to say that it succeeded in achieving the objective. Stephen Colbert, through his program the Colbert Report as well as through the rally, has served both the people and the government of America well. Stephen Colbert, who hosts the satirical Colbert Report while posing as a conservative, fear mongering right-wing political pundit, co-hosted the Rally in-character. Throughout the Rally Colbert used satire to lampoon the current war of sorts that the media personalities have engaged in whereby they disparage anyone who does not agree with their views.

Media personalities, specifically news and political pundits, on both sides (i.e. both right-wing and left-wing) disagree vociferously with each other, trying to use everything in their power to smear the other side and their detractors. These pundits ensure that they present their version of events to the audience only, without giving any heed to the actual facts. There is a lot of news spinning going on at both sides of the political debate, with both the liberals and conservatives trying to present their opinion as fact.

After sitting through many of the cable news shows, one gets the feeling that America is bitterly divided along party lines, with the Democrats and Republicans dead set against each other with no room for compromise. In such a scenario it is very hard for people not to feel alarmed and alienated. Mostly people either end up getting angry at the other side or fearful for the safety of their person, liberties and beliefs. This has caused mutual discourse to be almost impossible. Both sides tend to try to shout each other out, without even affording the other side the opportunity to be heard.

Very loud and vociferous opinions have been brought out in the forefront as a consequence, with the public discourse being dictated by an extreme minority. This mass hysteria of sorts is what the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear sought to counter. The thought behind the Rally was that there was much need for the public, the majority of the public that is, to take back the public discourse from the vocal extremists who are given a lot of air-time on cable news throughout America. The majority has often felt that its voice is not being given enough importance or that it is being ignored only because it does not have anything controversial to say.

Moreover, the culture of cable news has become such that passionate opinions seem to be the call of the day and not reasoned facts or well-thought out discussions and debates. There is a dearth of understanding and an abundance of talking over each other, which the majority feels just does not serve any purpose. However, the majority does not have the opportunity to have its voice be heard above all the raucous caused by the minority. With the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, Stephen Colbert (and Jon Stewart) made an effort to bring the voice of the silent majority to the forefront – the majority that feels it is not being heard, and that is not being prominently portrayed in the media.

Through the Rally, the silent majority expressed its beliefs of tolerance and compassion, as well as understanding, instead of the hate mongering and mudslinging that takes up most of the space in news. Moreover, by