On Humor

Having a sense of humor is having a sense of proportion. Humor is a lubricant that does wonders under the friction of intense debate. I was saying these things to a close friend as we entered into a discussion of the importance and rightful place of humor within our societal fabric. My friend told me that the influence of humor should be taken more seriously as a conduit of communication. And so the conversation went.

Later, and still thinking about the polemics we had engaged in earlier, I showed my friend a humorous refrigerator magnet of Sarah Palin with the caption: "Bush with tits". Okay, that was clever but it shifted the humor probe into the political realm. For instance, are liberals humorless? Would a store even carry a magnet with the likeness of Obama captioned, I don't know: "Carter with a jump shot"? I find both funny but I must admit that liberals are more than casually humorless when it comes to satirical pokes at their beloved people and causes.

Later, at a comedy club, I focused on how common it is to target "right wing" views for ridicule. Left wing crusades are holy - thou shalt not target nor laugh at a left wing cause. But, come on, Bush (either Bush) was an easy target. They have screwed up syntax and possess comical facial and bodily gestures. All true. But it is also true that Obama can easily be caricatured by showing his abject ineloquence when absent a TelePrompTer. And, come on, that Mussolini pose is to die for when he exudes his air of self-importance (arrogance).

Humor is indeed powerful. It is necessary. It is well, funny and relaxing. It is also selective. It is also political. Liberals lack proportion.