It’s Funny because it’s Broken
Thursday, November 27th, 2008After a seemingly endless election chock-full of things to make fun of, this transition simply isn’t that funny. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Back in 2000, the post-election period was hilarious, because democracy, like so many things, is funniest when it isn’t working properly. So, be thankful the process is going smoothly, but remember the funnier times.
The Onion, naturally, was firing on all cylinders, and I’ve always thought that was the moment that catapulted them into their current prominence. I remember reacting grumpily to the Economist referring to one of their articles as ‘a joke going around on the internet’. You wouldn’t seem them slighted thus today. The article in question:
Serbia Deploys Peacekeeping Forces To U.S.
BELGRADE–Serbian president Vojislav Kostunica deployed more than 30,000 peacekeeping troops to the U.S. Monday, pledging full support to the troubled North American nation as it struggles to establish democracy.
“We must do all we can to support free elections in America and allow democracy to gain a foothold there,” Kostunica said. “The U.S. is a major player in the Western Hemisphere and its continued stability is vital to Serbian interests in that region.”
The highlight of their coverage, though, was this:
Clinton Declares Self President for Life
Speaking of the Economist, the election mess drove them into the satire business as well. After the jump, the ‘leaked’ draft of the innauguration speech GWB (whom they had endorsed) would give if things came out in his favor:
