Commentary

True Patriotism: Colbert's Iraq Tour

by Fern Siegel , June 12, 2009

Put up or shut up. That should be the message to all right-wing anchors that badger others about the Iraq War. Hosts like Bill O'Reilly champion our Iraq troops, and the cherry-picked intelligence that sent them there, from the safety of their studios. We all support the troops, though O'Reilly, often accused of bullying anti-war opponents, has yet to step foot in Iraq. Just ask Keith Olbermann, who has long offered to send him.

By contrast, Stephen Colbert, who plays a faux Bill O'Reilly, outdid the man he calls "papa bear." On Monday, June 8, Colbert made good on his troop commitment. He didn't just talk the talk; he walked the walk. For the first time in the history of the U.S.O., a non-news show was broadcast from a combat zone. Colbert not only emerged in a military-fatigue-styled suit, he underwent a day of boot camp in South Carolina.

When interviewing the ranking general in Iraq, Colbert discussed his boot camp experience -- which meant more than touring barracks or grandstanding in a cafeteria. He wiggled on his belly under barbed wire and rappelled down a huge wall, asking his drill instructor: "Do I have to do this if I'm gay?"

The humor was targeted, but the results astounded. Colbert scaled his wall, shipped a crew to Iraq and, in solidarity with the troops, shaved his head. That Newsweek cover of him as guest editor, with a semi-sheared look, is real. Can you image any news anchor -- or any member of Congress -- taking such a symbolic step?

The point Colbert made underscores the power of celebrity -- and using it for good. He's raised money through his WristStrong bracelets for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which helps injured vets. He raised funds through donorschoose.org for school supplies for children of soldiers. Plus, the fake newsman is also donating proceeds from iTunes downloads of this week's episodes to the U.S.O.

Every commentator or guest has the right to express their viewpoint -- be it left, right or center. The goal, however, is to deliver it backed by facts and civility.

Consider the murder of Dr. George Tiller, the abortion doctor in Kansas. O'Reilly called him "Tiller the Baby Killer" and compared the physician, who wasn't breaking any laws, to the Nazis and Al-Qaida. O'Reilly is a powerful voice in media; such vile comments aren't just irresponsible, they are un-American.

Others have a nasty habit of bellowing first and thinking later -- on both sides of the political spectrum.

The most recent example -- conservative radio host Erick "Mancow" Muller, a former commentator for Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," claimed water-boarding wasn't torture -- until he underwent the procedure and changed his mind. No word yet if Sean Hannity will put his money where his mouth is.

Happily, Colbert does. A clever satirist, he knows the difference between comic self-aggrandizement and dangerous narcissism, which can abuse the power of the airwaves. Our Comedy Central kingpin may mimic right-wing outrage on his popular "Colbert Report," but when it comes to real patriotism, he's true-blue.

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3 comments about "True Patriotism: Colbert's Iraq Tour ".

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Jon May from Time Warner Media Sales, June 12, 2009 at 8:26 a.m.
You seem to have left out the fact that Sean Hannity has visited Iraq.
You also left out the fact that Mancow was waterboarded for perhaps as much as 5 seconds (I saw the video) before 'deciding' it was torture. He had obviously made up his mind before then.
Love Colbert, and enjoy what he did, but let's remember that celebrities do things like this for one reason--to promote themselves.
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Michael Mcnew from MCNEWMEDIA, June 12, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.

I'm glad Colbert finally decided to visit the troops after "supporting" them by denigrating their mission and activities for eight years. He's a day late and few years short. Of course, now it's Obama's war to win or lose.

Quick FYI: Hannity and O'Reilly visited the troops in Iraq more than three years ago!

>> It was fitting, then, that Bill O’Reilly, host of the Fox News talk show “The O’Reilly Factor” – dubbed the ‘No Spin Zone’ - came to visit the Camp Striker, Iraq dining facility Dec. 15.

O’Reilly visited the Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and other units at the Baghdad base camp to thank them for their service, he said.

“I came to see the Soldiers and say thanks to all the forces,” he said. “That’s our primary purpose over here.”

O’Reilly had lunch at the dining facility, greeting Soldiers and civilians alike before autographing hats and shirts emblazoned with the title of his latest book, “Culture Warrior.” He posed for photographs with Soldiers, as well.

Sgt. 1st Class Vivienne Pacquette of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and a supply sergeant for the 2nd BCT, had the opportunity to eat next to O’Reilly and speak with him.

“He was very down-to-earth and easy to talk to,” she said.

“I asked him why he’d come, and I was impressed that he said it was just to say thanks. It’s great to see a person of that stature to have such passion for the troops,” Pacquette said. “He’s in a position to talk to Americans about what we’re doing here.”

Joan Voight from Business media, June 12, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.

Great op-ed piece, Fern.

The antics of cable news makes great material for satire. Because the real cable news hosts don't seem to see the difference between themselves and the fake newsguys (Colbert and Stewart), it just reinforces the point of the satire.
Next up: Letterman vs. Palin