Forty five people in Europe have died in a heatwave. Ascribing it to the work of terrorists, the White House is currently exploring the feasibility of sending US troops to the Sun.
PAD
Forty five people in Europe have died in a heatwave. Ascribing it to the work of terrorists, the White House is currently exploring the feasibility of sending US troops to the Sun.
PAD
• 
This joke was in very poor taste. 45 people dying because of a heat wave is not appropriate fodder for an easy jab at George Bush.
I reckon the joke just needs fine-tuning.
After all, were these “Old Europeans” or “New Europeans”? Can you really see Georgie sending troops to the assistance of the French, who allowed him use of their airspace in the Iraq war?
Would he really be so quick to help the Germans, even though they’ve been cleaning up his mess in Afghanistan, and provided crucial logistical support in the Iraq war?
No, didn’t think so.
What a lot of folks in the States don’t know is that air conditioning is extremely rare in much of Western Europe. If you want AC in England you have to get either one of those portable unit with the hose that sticks out the window (and which costs around $1500) or go to a supermarket or mall. We’re very concerned about Robin’s family at this point.
I wouldn’t consider the bad taste the problem of the joke (after all, most on the good ones are often kinda bad taste), but I wonder what kick PAD gets out of trolling – which this understandably will be for pretty much anyone who’s less liberal minded than him.
Me, I really don’t care… I’m just sitting here in the middle of Europe at 100+ F and wishing autumn would finally arrive – btw, the British isles are nowhere near as hot…
On air conditioning, we simply are less touchy about temperature, it seems… I’m constantly amazed whenever I have to go to the US with your country’s obsession to turn the temperature WAY down so that it’s already freezing – I strongly believe it’s better for your health if you don’t constantly go through such strong differences between closed space (i.e. really cool) and the outside (i.e. the opposite), so some moderation would likely be more reasonable
Sorry…thought it was funny. *LOL*
My $0.01: Mr. David, you’re getting punchy.
I’ve been following your internet postings since your reply to the startrek newsgroup denizens who were planning to draft you to take over for the recently-deceased Gene Roddenberry. I wish I remembered your exact words, but it was the best example of a polite “buzz off, jerks!” I’d ever seen.
For years afterward, you’ve been a consistent standard of gentlemanly conduct.
But lately, it seems like you’ve been letting sore points get to you. The threads bringing up the John Byrne board were a recent example of this.
You might want to gafiate a bit from this board, if I can invoke the old acronym.
Mitch
Since so many of the European countries are afraid of global warming, you would think that they would have been prepared for a hot summer.
Well, I thought it was funny.
The ironic thing, of course, is that if this heat wave and the other odd weather of the summer – where is that darned sun anyway. asked the New Yorker? – is due to global warming, then at the very least Dubya and Co. are to be held accountable for not admitting there is a problem. I truly believe that all-time record highs in Europe and elsewhere over the past 15 years add up to something, but the current administration acts as if there is no potential catastrophe in the making.
But then, in this they are not unique. I doubt most Americans care, weathering the heat wave and then forgetting there might a bigger problem once fall comes. Alas, no one is getting elected to the White House on a strong anti-global warming platform.
“Since the dawn of time, man has dreamed of blotting out the Sun.” – J. Montgomery Burns
Meantime here in New York City we’re having varying amounts of rain almost every day. I think 27 of the last 35 days have had rain.
I’m inclined to think that it was in very poor taste, too. To use the deaths of real people as the basis of a joke, whatever the purpose of that joke, is just insensitive and at least mildly grotesque.
Was the joke good?…PAD has done better. Was it in poor taste..debatable. I am reminded of David Letterman when a guest asked him why he wasn’t making any jokes about O.J. David’s response was “Somehow I don’t think double homicide is funny”. Yet he didn’t hesitate later to make many Robert Blake jokes and after a time began making O.J. jokes. It is all in your perspective.
Sheesh. If Tina Fey had said it, everyone would’ve laughed.
I still remember when pundits were blaming the music of Marilyn Manson for the Columbine shootings. Jon Stewart subsequently did a report about tornados ripping through the midwest, leaving death and destruction behind, and then shook his fist at the air and shouted, “Ðámņ you, Marilyn Manson!”
I write about things that occur to me, amuse me, or catch my interest. That’s what a blog is: A snapshot of what’s on my mind when I post it. Reading too much into any stray thought can be a real time waster…although I admit it *is* interesting to see what sets people off and what they ignore.
It’s amazing to me, though, that a passing comment about Bush can end up with, like, a hundred responses. But I do a whole essay about the history of the “Fire in a theater” thing–which to me was really interesting–and got maybe 20 replies.
PAD
Funny one, Mr. David! (I’m new to your blog, but a long time fan!)
People are taking the joke way too seriously. I really can’t stand how people are WAY over sensitive about various political issues.
If I was the U.S. government, I’d place my bets on Saddam or Osama having possession of a Weather Machine.
PAD I think you hit the nail on the head when you wrote “If Tina Fey had said it, everyone would’ve laughed.” Some jokes are funny when verbalized, but when written the get a different (knee-jerk)reaction.
I am interested to know if the reaction to the joke was due to the apparent levity towards the death of 45 people or your jab at Bush. Of course I am no judge here. One of my favorite books when I was in High School was “Truly Tasteless Jokes”. I can usually find humor in anything.
On the verge of funny, but you forget that Bush is in Texas right now, we’ve been in the 100’s for about a month now…
I also agree with the poster above… lewjaschin, that many here in the States are obsessed with the AC. I think that it would keep many summer colds away if they’d just turn up the temp a little. BTW, I live without AC here in Texas, had four straight days last week with heat index over 110, air temp right at 100, I live this way by choice (and pocketbook) since it would take more money than I make a month just to cool this house I live in.
jeff
As unreasoned as I think Peter’s anti-war ramblings are, I must admit that I found the joke amusing.
But he’s still no Tina Fey.
-Dave O’Connell
As unreasoned as I think Peter’s anti-war ramblings are, I must admit that I found the joke amusing.
But he’s still no Tina Fey.
-Dave O’Connell
It reminds me of the South Park ep where GWB was about to go to war with Heaven because Saddam was building WMDs there. (since, of course, in SP universe Saddam died in the ‘Bigger, Longer, and Uncut’ movie)
I thought the show by SPs creators ‘Thats My Bush!’ was a classic. Probably more a more accurate description of the White House than ‘The West Wing’.
Sure, it’s funny now, but I bet that you won’t be laughing so hard when the US Government blows up the sun.
Hmm, I’d have to say that if you’re concerned about friends or family in Europe or someone in your family had been one of the 45, now up to 100 BTW, it wouldn’t have been funny, no matter who said it.
On the other hand, blowing up the sun, now there’s the solution to global warming, and it’s a long term solution too!
Just don’t let George Bush anywhere near Kyp Durron, or we’re all in trouble.
For what it’s worth, I thought it was funny and I found the whole “fire in a theatre” thing very interesting.
Eric
For what it’s worth, I thought it was mildly amusing and I found the whole “fire in a theatre” thing kinda scary.
As for “That’s My Bush”….I miss that show.
On the other hand, blowing up the sun, now there’s the solution to global warming, and it’s a long term solution too!
Unless you live in the DC universe.
Hard to believe, Peter.
20 some posts and no one brought
up the obvious,
“Studies show best opportunity
will be at night”
reference.
No sensahumor here.
–Ed
As for “That’s My Bush”….I miss that show.
Really? It didn’t do much for me. And I’m someone who likes “South Park” and isn’t wild about GWB (huh. George Washington Bridge. Never noticed that) so I’d have been a natural to be a fan of it.
Maybe it’s because Bush was such an easy target that it was shooting fish in a barrel. Or maybe it’s just that the jokes weren’t funny.
I mean, y’know, I get it. They’re doing a 60s sitcom about a guy who Just Happens to be president, and he’s got all the other sitcom tropes such as a wacky neighbor who comes and goes with impunity–which makes no sense, but it’s not supposed to.
If Gore had won, it’d have been “That’s My Gore.” That might actually have been funnier, because Gore has a public image of taking himself so seriously and also being very intelligent. So playing him like a combination of Cliff Clavin and Chevy Chase’s Gerald Ford would’ve been a hoot. Y’know, like he’s constantly spilling soup and such because he’s so stiff that he won’t bend to eat it. He would have been a literal straightman to everyone else. But the public perception of GWB was that he was a doofus, so doing a sitcom where he’s a doofus…eh.
PAD
on sunday the uk had it’s hottest day ever yet still one person got frost bite? while someone else got hyperthermia!
hey only in the uk
This joke was in very poor taste. 45 people dying because of a heat wave is not appropriate fodder for an easy jab at George Bush.
Posted by Nick @ 08/12/2003 01:18 PM
hey what isnt an easy jab at the guy, at this point ill place my trust in gary coleman more.
Remember folks, comedy = tragedy + time, NOT tragedy + cheap shots.
I’m with you, Peter. Which, I guess, is obvious because I’m here and I’m commenting (then again, this is one of the only comment blogs I read where comments don’t necessarily = “with you,” which has always puzzled me…)
Anyway, three bells on that one. 🙂
Actually, I thought the “Fire in a crowded theater” column was fascinating. I just didn’t have anything to add to it in response.
I think this joke was in poor taste. But, I guess thats a subjective view.
And Peter, just becuase the people your around think Bush is a doofus doesn’t mean everyone thinks like that.
“If Gore had won, it’d have been “That’s My Gore.” That might actually have been funnier, because Gore has a public image of taking himself so seriously and also being very intelligent. So playing him like a combination of Cliff Clavin and Chevy Chase’s Gerald Ford would’ve been a hoot. Y’know, like he’s constantly spilling soup and such because he’s so stiff that he won’t bend to eat it. He would have been a literal straightman to everyone else. But the public perception of GWB was that he was a doofus, so doing a sitcom where he’s a doofus…eh.
PAD”
You’re probably right there, PAD.
In fact, when Parker and Stone first conceptualized the show, it was going to be about Al Gore because they thought Gore was going to win. After Florida they had to change the concept to fit Bush.
I read an interview with Parker and Stone and they said that the first episode of the Gore show would have about a killer robot menacing DC, and everybody mistakes Gore for the robot and the robot for Gore.
That would of been hillarious.
Who’s Tina Fey?
as someone implied above that some people like Bush!?
true, how scarey is that
but hey some people like sabbam & bin larden as well
so what ya sayin’?
Just don’t let George Bush anywhere near Kyp Durron, or we’re all in trouble.
I got that, and that scares me.
As long as we’re tossing out relatively obscure references: forget the Scarrans, my worry is that George Bush will get wormhole technology.
Can someone explain in more detail the whole Europe/air conditioning thing? What, they just don’t like it? That seems a bit strange. Speaking as an asthmatic I can’t imagine life without it. So much for my dreams of living in England, I guess.
JLK
And Peter, just becuase the people your around think Bush is a doofus doesn’t mean everyone thinks like that.
[comment unavailable, writer knocked unconscious by irony]
JLK
**I think this joke was in poor taste. But, I guess thats a subjective view.
And Peter, just becuase the people your around think Bush is a doofus doesn’t mean everyone thinks like that.**
That’s right, I see him as more of an older more enlightened Gilligan.
SPB
“If it happens to me, it’s a tragedy. If it happens to you, it’s a comedy” – Mel Brooks
I don’t want to defend “That’s My Bush” too strongly, because the show never really gelled. But there WAS more going on than just portraying GWB as a doofus in a sit-com White House.
It often did some sharp, funny satire–like when Bush decided to go against the Republican party and ban guns, because he was deathly afraid someone might try to shoot him. Or the abortion episode where the pro life lobbyist was a half-aborted fetus.
I think it would have gotten better if it had survived (the show, not the fetus).
Re: Western Europe and no AC. Well, having lived in Switzerland, I’ve experienced this first hand. The simple answer is that it’s very rare when it’s needed. Note that this was the first time in recorded history that anywhere in Britain hit 100F.
Take a look at weather.com at various European cities and their average highs for August (look for “averages and records” at the top of the 10-day forecast). For London, the average August daily high temperature is a whopping 70F.
For Paris, 75F. For Berlin, 73F. And for my old stomping grounds of Lausanne, Switzerland, 75F (OK so it didn’t have it for Lausanne. I used 30 miles away Geneva’s temps instead).
People forget just how far north Western Europe is, and how much the Gulf Stream keeps them from freezing in the winter. New York City is at 40.43 N latitude. London is at 51.30 N. Anchorage is at 61.13N, meaning that London is roughly halfway towards Anchorage going north from New York City.
It reminds me of the South Park ep where GWB was about to go to war with Heaven because Saddam was building WMDs there. (since, of course, in SP universe Saddam died in the ‘Bigger, Longer, and Uncut’ movie)
Yeah, he did… but it was in the “sequel” episodes where he was placed in heaven because he was trying to take over hëll. And where better than heaven, which was… well, not full, but only mormons. Parker and Stone have something against mormons. I guess they think they’re funny (Cannibal the Musical, anyone?)
Oh and if you want real offensive? Lewis Black’s CD The End of The Universe.
Freaking hilarious.
Travis
Personally, I wasn’t offended at the joke because it a joke directed at Bush rather than the heat victims.
Peter David: Sheesh. If Tina Fey had said it, everyone would’ve laughed.
Luigi Novi: That’s different. You make allowances for hot women you want to boink. 🙂
ObeeKris: Who’s Tina Fey?
Luigi Novi: She’s the first female head writer on Saturday Night Live, and is co-anchor of the Weekend Update segment with Jimmy Fallon.
She’s also cute as hëll, and one of the few women that looks sexy in glasses. 🙂
Ok i find this funny. And do you know what? I’m a European, a German.
Thanks for such Fun things, there good to read when you are sitting in the middle of all the Heat. It’s good to know that our Neighbour is still so interested in us.
With a grin from Germany MS
Well, it may be tasteless, but gave me a chuckle…
It’s been disturbingly cool on my end (eastern great lakes)…
Well, if you want to examine what’s funny….for some reason Peter’s thought that GWB = George Washington Bridge killed me. I don’t know why, I just wasn’t expecting that. It’s the little things.
Here in Southeast Michigan, the weather has been normal almost all summer, except for the excess rain. Everybody is complaining that it is too cold. This is because we have had some exceedingly hot summers in the past 15 years.
Hyper, as a prefix, means too much or a lot.
Hyperthermia therefore means too much heat.
Hypothermia is where you freeze to death.
Actually, the Mel Brooks quote describing comedy is as follows:
“Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when *you* walk into an open sewer and die.”
And, of course, it’s one of my favourite quotes…
I thought it was hilarious. That’s as a European too. Don’t be so dámņ PC. Cheers.
I find it funny that folks (like me) who are in Europe had no problem with the joke, while folks in the US did. You guys really need to get rid of that political correctness nonsense.
Speaking of things you need to get rid of, can some American explain to me why you’re still sticking with Fahrenheit, when we’ve had Celsius for about 260 years now? Surely a scale that goes from freezing at 0 to boiling at 100 makes a lot more sense?
It’d certainly make it easier for Dubya to work out the optimum time to attack the sun….