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11
10
Yes, secret liberal No, honest conservative
Debate Score:21
Arguments:11
Total Votes:22
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 Yes, secret liberal (4)
 
 No, honest conservative (7)

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Is Stephen Colbert Joking?

To most sane people, the answer should be obvious, but researchers recently found that conservatives were likely to think Stephen Colbert's act was serious, and not a joke when he plays his conservative alter-ego.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/27/colbert-study-conservativ_n_191899.html

So what do you think? Are the conservatives right? Is Colbert actually being serious?

Yes, secret liberal

Side Score: 11
VS.

No, honest conservative

Side Score: 10
4 points

I read an article somewhere... I think it was Reader's Digest, and they did an interview with Colbert. He stated in that interview that he was, in truth, a liberal.

But can't we all see past his act a bit? I think it's funny, but I mean, come on, sometimes it's outrageous.

I think we still have that article in the house. I'll look for it and quote it for all of you if I can find it. :)

So, if he said it in an interview, that wouldn't really be a secret liberal, just an actor with a really good character.

Side: Yes, secret liberal
3 points

of course he's joking. Conservatives at most just think he's funny, but none of them actually think he's a real Conservative.

Should have known better though, it is the Huffington Post, known for lying and slandering. really, none of their articles are considered valid until there is at least 1 lie and 1 insult.

Side: Yes, secret liberal
2 points

That's the genius of his bit. Liberals can think he's joking, and agree with the opposite of everything he says, while conservatives can think he's being serious and agree with everything he says.

Side: Yes, secret liberal
JakeJ(3255) Disputed
2 points

Those are the only two choices? Crap. I'd almost rather be gullible.

How about this:

I know he's joking and I oppose the underlying message of his act. And, well, Ive seen funnier.

I think most conservatives would agree with me.

And I'm curious about the exact details of this study, or whatever. Because I don't know anyone who thinks that guy is a conservative. But hey, they proved it "with math and stuff" so it must be true. It makes conservatives look stupid so it must be true.

Your bias is showing.

Side: not that funny

Don't worry Jake, it's just a bunny with a pancake for a hat ;)

Side: No, honest conservative
1 point

I up-voted you because I desperately desperately want you to be correct :)

Side: No, honest conservative
1 point

Btw, the two choices are meant to describe Colbert, not you. I wasn't trying to get you to describe yourself as a liberal/conservative, if that's what you thought.

Side: Yes, secret liberal
1 point

Are you kidding me? Of course he's a liberal. His entire show is a satire of a punditry show such as the O'Reilly Factor, as is extraordinarily obvious by his idiotic character and intentionally clear logical flaws. Wikipedia has separate articles for Colbert's character and his actual person.

Side: Obviously liberal
2 points

Just kidding.

But I want to say something about that survey, so I came over here because it's almost empty.

All the survey says is that Conservatives are more likely to think he is joking but really believes what he's saying.

Is a person who thinks that, perhaps retarded?

yes, most likely they have some serious mental defect.

But it does not mean that most conservatives don't know it's satire.

It could literally mean that of the 337 people studied, 1 liberal didn't know he was joking, and 2 conservatives didn't.

So while saying that conservatives are more likely to not know it's satire is accurate, it is quite misleading.

Of course the target of satire is less likely to recognize the satire, that's what makes it funny. And being that the Republican party is firmly in the iron grip of the furthest right elements, it makes perfect sense he would be invited to speak at things like a white house correspondence dinner, and people there would not realize ahead of time (or even in many cases after) that they are basically being roasted.

But I gaurantee no sane element of the conservative party is not aware that colbert is just kidding around.

Side: No, honest conservative
1 point

Sometimes comedy is the easiest way to reveal the truth. I am not saying it is true but, I would say it is based on a growing trend.

Side: No, honest conservative