printIt’s a sickening specter: some of the most pretentious, worthless people in the country—in politics, journalism and entertainment—get together to revel in their ability to petition and curry favor with one another, usually to the detriment of the rest of us.
Those gathered at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner are not the country’s natural aristocracy; but a group of people who make their living pretending to be something they are not. Poseurs and parasites.
Granted, actors do not coerce the citizenry to patronize their (mostly) lousy flicks. However, when they use their celebrity to push unconstitutional, naturally unlawful policies—then they are acting as enemies of the people.
Mostly, I find Hollywood disgusting. Every time I turn around a “celebrity” is preaching and propagandizing for the leftist cause du jour. Some of these tarts were using their tushes and other assets to tell their betters (YOU) to be good and do your “duty.”
Like nothing else, the annual White House correspondents’ dinner is a mark of corrupt politics. The un-watchful dogs of the media have no business frolicking with the president and his minions. This is co-optation. And when did the phonies of Hollywood become a fixture in this event?
The toxic “tradition” began in 1920, and, as far as I know, is sponsored by THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ ASSOCIATION. The event and the invited tell a great deal about the Association and its ethics and code of conduct.
The president’s performance was a little wooden. He had a few good lines. For example:
“I strongly believe my next 100 days will be so successful I will finish them in 72 days. And on the 73rd day I will rest.”
The dig at John Boehner’s tan: “We have a lot in common. He is a person of color, Although not a color that appears in the natural world.”
The dig at the sycophants: “Most of you covered me. All of you voted for me.”
On Rahm Emanuel on the eve of Mother’s Day: “It’s a tough holiday for [Emanuel] … He’s not used to saying the word ‘day’ after mother …”
On the other hand, this one captured how privileged Obama feels:
“Sasha and Malia aren’t here tonight because they’re grounded. You can’t just take Air Force One on a joy ride to Manhattan. I don’t care whose kids you are.”
Wanda Sykes, a talented comedian, began with some great material and then descended into vulgarity and sheer spite.
Update I (May 11): Glenn Beck gave into the temptation to join the high-flying toadies in Washington. It’s a shame; it damages this scrupulous soul’s credibility.
Written after attending the press palooza, Beck’s barbs would have rung truer had he watched the event from his bunker. For once, this is not a case of Beck bearding the proverbial lion in his den:
Glenn decided to attend the White House Correspondents’ dinner this weekend and called the atmosphere ‘slimy.’ Glenn said Obama did a good job with his delivery but was robotic, and he took issue with comedian Wanda Sykes’ routine. Typically this event serves as somewhat of a roast of the President (Imus bashing Clinton, Colbert bashing Bush) but apparently no entertainers these days know how to make fun of the Messiah, so instead Sykes made fun of Rush Limbaugh. Included in her hilarious (translate=crappy) routine were jokes about how she wished Rush’s kidneys would fail. Glenn imagines the things he can say with the new ‘kidney failure’ comedy bar set so low
Update II: Wanda Sykes’ gentle teases “ took a very ugly turn when she laid into Limbaugh.”