Joke's Over

According to a CNN exit poll, 7% of the country believes that intelligence is the most important quality in a president. Of those people, 91% voted for John Kerry.

Perfect ammunition for a “Bush is stupid” joke, but I’m not in the mood to laugh.

The Jon Stewart on Crossfire interview was the first indication. He wasn’t trying to be funny, or angry. He was desperate. The hosts didn’t understand: The Daily Show mocks the system, but they make a mockery of it.

Mom and Dad can’t have an intelligent discussion when little Sally keeps yelling, “Mommy your nose is too big,” and Billy is saying, “Daddy your teeth are ugly.”

But I may be giving America too much credit assuming that those fifty-two percent are unformed.

At the end of his election special, Jon Stewart held a stack of eleven cards in his hand, each listing a state that had voted on a gay marriage ban that night.

“Georgia – yep.
Montana – sure.
North Dakota – yep.”

He looked defeated.

“Oklahoma – of course.
Arkansas – why not.
Kentucky – absolutely.
Michigan – affirmative.”

He continued to toss the cards across his desk, the final few slid off onto the floor.

“Utah – yep.
Mississippi – yes.
Ohio – yep.
And lastly, Oregon – yes.”

The voters have spoken. And it’s not funny.