Government
Watch Live: Comedian Stephen Colbert Testifies at House Hearing on Immigration
- Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:14am by
Scott Baker
- Print »
- Email »
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 591 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 381 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 376 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 415 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 381 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 151 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know 100 Comments- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 303 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 417 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (119)
BetterDays
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:26amSanchez and Rodrigiez, two temporarilly legal illegals, at least we can hope.
Report Post »So she thinks raising the minimum wage now is a good idea,? Lets see Health care costs have skyrocketed for small business thats to Obamanation care so they aren’t hiring right now so lets make them pay more to what few employees they do have so they can raise the unemployment levels when they are let go because the business is faced with that or bankruptcy? Ge, thats such a very horrid idea Sanchez, perhaps you can pay these workers out of you own bloated pocket to account for a living wage for them? Yes Ms. Sanches I just called your “bleacher girl” behind out, show us how to redistribute your wealth first, and if it works we still won’t join you. How much vote fraud will it take to get you re-elected Sanchez?
HeReturnsSoon
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:24amDid they also have popcorn and soda for the audience?
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:13amI disagree with those who say Colbert hasd no place in these hearings. Quite the contrary – he fits in perfectly. The entire system is one big joke anyway. If they were intersted in making informed decisions, they would actually have experts in the areas they are discussing, not diluting discussion by an individuals personal opinions.
They have a meeting about a meeting in regards to the meeting as a followup to the meeting and then hold a meeting to discuss the meeting. No surprise nothing gets done in DC, and when something is done, it is a short-sighted, hasty decision because of the dilluted sources of information they use to justify thier decisions. Which, by the way, re raely changed in the course of hearings. When all is said and done, they call up thier lobbyists in the industry and see how they should vote anyway.
How about this idea – get expert witnesses who actually represent the problem being addressed, and have meaningful debate. Otherwise, just bring in a pannel of lobbyists and open the floor to a bidding war.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:10amTotally appropriate; Congress has been a joke for some time now…
Report Post »KissMYgritZ
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:06amAnd they wonder why we’re so angry. This is all a game to them. For decades there has been no punishment for elected officials when they act stupidly or irresponsibly. It is unforgivable when you take something as important as immigration and turn the hearings into an SNL skit. We The People will not forget come November. It’s time for the idiots to leave the building. There will be no encore!
Report Post »JnKC
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:57amOK, having a comedian be interviewed in character does seem a bit off, but so does Congress seem a bit off on occasion. He made some good points and endorsed the Republican Pledge to America. You have to admit more attention has been drawn to the discussion. Ruining my body to do the work represented is something I do not wish to do along with a great deal of Americans who would not do the work either.
Report Post »Firelight
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 2:09pmHell-o . One might ASK how in this world does Europe harvest it’s crops without Mexico attached at the hip. One hint — JOHN DEERE .
Report Post »Zombee
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:56amThe U.S. Congress has been a circus for four years under the Democrat control. And now , direct your attention to the center ring for Colbert the ass-clown. Congress has become irrelevant and obsolete. And “We the People” have lost representation.
Mr. Obama has shown he will circumvent Congress or the courts as necessary. He recognizes no rules or balance of power. He is a quasi dictator that has no intention of leaving the mantel of power or changing his left wing ideology. His ego won’t allow it.
U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, was joined by 12 other Senators to introduce the REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) Act. This legislation is intended to restore accountability to the process by which federal agencies finalize major regulations by requiring congressional approval for major regulatory actions. Please support his efforts on this one.
Report Post »SIXFRIGATES
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:56amProblem #1, as illegal immigration increases, so does violent gang and drug activity. Is this the work they are here to do?
Report Post »sdunigan
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 2:54pmJust because there is correlation does not mean there is causation. Unless you know of a study that proves this. There have been studies done to prove a raise in crime rates and drug use during down economic times though. Perhaps this is the causation?
Report Post »Rollo2
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:54amAl Franken is a member of the US Senate!!!
Report Post »HTuttle
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:54amI understand that Obama has just hired Don Draper as business czar.
Report Post »heidi586
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:51amA bunch of ba-foons. Wasn’t it yesterday that the men who raise the chickens who laid the eggs that made so many ill had to testify? What is the point? A bad thing happened – the problem is being investigated and taken care of to prevent it from happening again. I’m sure those men are the last that would ever want the product they sell to make others ill…if not for the peoples welfare then for their own business future. These hearings are a waste of time and money…a bunch of ba-foon blow hards grand standing!
Report Post »jcmiami
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:49amReally? We need to fire all these clowns come November
Report Post »Mayday
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:45amUnited Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez gave an effective appeal. Too bad it was upstaged by Colbert’s juvenile and inappropriate presentation. If this were not the U.S. Congress he should’ve been escorted out by the Fruit of the Loom characters.
Report Post »rudianger2
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:45amWhat the hell is going on in this country?!! This is so embarassing.
Report Post »TheProfessor
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:45amThis is no worse than all of those hearings on steroids in baseball or voting for commendations to some stupid sports team or another for winning another pointless game or another. If our elected officials need to be entertained then they need to do it outside of their official capacity. This is all very childish, and demeaning to the offices they serve.
Report Post »kerrcarto
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:44amWhat’s next? Elmo testifying about too much cleavage on TV. The republicans should not even show up for this lunacy.
Report Post »TheLeftMadeMeRight
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:00amAh…Elmo has already testified before congress.
Elmo Testifies Before Congress April 24th, 2002
from the symbolic-on-more-levels-than-one dept.
Sesame Street’s Elmo, the perpetually three-year-old Muppet with no impulse control, testified before Congress yesterday, telling the House’s Education Appropriations Subcommittee that funding for children’s music education was an important issue. As ymatt, who brought the story to my attention, observed, “I guess Congress is used to having puppets give testimony.”
Report Post »kerrcarto
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:43amWhat’s next. Elmo testifying about too much cleavage on TV. The republicans should not even show up for this lunacy.
Report Post »JnKC
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:00amThey have already had Sesame Street characters testify.
Report Post »kerrcarto
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:31amWhy does that not surprise me.
Report Post »RightWingKookTank
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:50amCongresswoman Chu (CA?) said during this hearing that the Republicans already had Elmo in to testify…so, my guess is that the Democrats WON’T be inviting Elmo. She also said that the Republicans have had Loretta Switt and Clint Eastwood in to testify, as well. I think she was trying to make the point that it is ok to have Colbert there because of the aforementioned guests of the Republicans. It just makes them all more equally stupid in my mind.
I heard Judge Napolitano this morning on Fox News say that this committee operates at a rate of $125,000/hour. More money well spent, don’t ya think?
Report Post »RightWingKookTank
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:41amFrom Drudge: “REP. CONYERS TO FUNNYMAN: ‘I’m asking you to leave the committee room completely, and submit your statement’… MORE… Rep. Lofgren steps in: ‘Many are eager to hear his comments’ … Colbert mugs: ‘I’m here at the invitation of the chairwoman, and if she would like me to remove myself from the hearing room I am happy to do so. I‘m only here at her invitation’… “
Report Post »Cabo King
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:39amyour tax dollars well spent!!!!!!!
Report Post »WestOfThePecos
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:39amSad. I have nothing else to say.
Report Post »Midwest Belle
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:36amWhat ever happened to KIDS picking fruit? When I was a teenager in the 60s, and living in orchard country, it was tough to find a job picking because every kid in the county was racing to get those temp picking jobs. We knew it was hard work, we knew it was temp work but WE DID IT. I’ve picked apples, cherries, and peaches, pulled weeds, worked in sugar-beet fields and picked green beans. I’ve even worked for a very small farmer picking up potatoes in the fields (this was before all that automation).
Kids today are LAZY. Where I work, we have an extremely high turnover if we hire teenagers. They will work 2-3 days and quit because it’s hard work. And there are RULES (like NO cell phones on the job). Even the fast food places in town scramble to find and keep good workers. Most of the people at the McDonald’s near my work are over 30. Kids have no worth ethics.
And Colbert is an idiot.
Report Post »KissMYgritZ
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:56amIt’s hard to pick apples while playing Xbox, Tweeting and Facebooking.
Report Post »sdunigan
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 2:49pmDepends on your definition of “kid.” Because now there are labor laws to prevent that from happening.
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:34amThey are basically saying that American’s are lazy and will jeopardize our agricultural market unless they hire illegals.
I believe they can use new technology to carry the apples instead of carrying old fashion pales.
They said It’s not about wages but it is about wages. I will little more for apples. Hire legal workers now!
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:42amCorrection “I will ”pay” a little more for apples.”
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:24amThe grown-ups really need to start to paddling some behind in this country. The children are out of control.
Report Post »bhendri1
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:56amI agree. Take them to the wood shed.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:20amI know I went to sleep in the U.S. last night…. Where in the hell did I wake up? Testifying “in character” ???? We have become the laughing stock of the entire world….
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:18amWhat a mockery of the United States House of Representatives. Unreal.
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:39amIf this doesn’t tell you what is going on in Washington, nothing will. A comedian, IN CHARACTER, testifying to Congress! What an insult to the people of United States of America. Being in character, isn’t he LYING to Congress? Didn’t they just indict Roger Clemens for lying to Congress? Is Steven Colbert going to be arrested for lying to Congress? How did a comedian become an EXPERT witness for IMMIGRATION? WAKE UP, AMERICA!!! ARE THESE THE PEOPLE YOU WANT RUNNING THIS COUNTRY? THE CHOICE IS YOURS.
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:39amYour absolutely correct. I can’t believe Stephen Colbert is in the House of Representatives making a mockery of our countries immigrant problem.
Anonimouse
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 10:40amNot quite broker. They are mocking us.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:19amColbert is Canadian. He probably doesn’t feel like he was mocking. It’s not HIS congress….
HeReturnsSoon
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:19amQuite correct ANONIMOUSE.
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:27amCobert is a joke.. but even more so, our Congress is.
Report Post »Areyoukiddingme
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:31am“Corn Packer is a term for a gay Iowan”… OMG ROFL… What a joke. At least my tax payer dollars went for a good LOL today.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 11:32am@PeachyinGA No, he’s not, we wish we could claim him but he’s a born and bred American.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 12:12pmThis group can’t figure out a budget (they deem one through), but they have time to make a mockery of a congressional subcommittee hearing by having a comedian come and joke about his colonoscopy?
I have nothing against Colbert, he is in the entertainment business and he lives and dies by publicity, and as noted elsewhere, there were what seemed to be a record number of cmaeras in the gallery today. But at some point, there is a bigger picture and he should have declined indicating that there must be better “expert witnesses” than he.
When Al Franken was seated as Senator fro MN many thought he would pull stunts of this caliber, and happily Senator Franken has let those critics down, yet Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) felt this was the best use of the subcommittee’s time. I’d encourage everyone in her district to realize how seriously she took the plight of migrant workers – they are good for 15 minutes on a late-night comedy show and maybe a follow-up if the comedian can make it to the hearing.
I think their time would have been better spent watching Edward R. Murrow’s “Harvest of Shame” documentary from 1960 – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_of_Shame and asking themselves what has America done in the last 50 years to improve the lot of migrant workers in America. Sadly, not much I fear.
For those of you new to this discussion, “migrant worker” does not equal “illegal alien” – though there certainly are many illegals in the migrant worker community, there are also many US citizens, be they children of illegals or native-born citizens who simply lack the ability to find any better work for anyone of a million reasons.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 12:58pmIf we didn’t have a lifetimes supply of unemployment Americans would do this labor.
Report Post »5000YRLEAPER
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 1:42pmBehind his sarcasm there is truth.
Report Post »Ward
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 3:09pmIt is a mockery and a slap in the face again by an ill-informed idiot who has not got a clue as to what is really going on. ( Did he have the same writer as Obama?) The joke is on him, they are not here to work but to jump on the welfare system that pays them to stay radicals by granting them their every demand. We Americans are now the enablers to anyone who wants to jump on the band wagon and intimidate us into submission to their demands. By the way the millions of farmers that are not farming the government is paying them not to farm.
Report Post »MoodyRed2u
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 3:30pmThis just illustrates the ignorance of the ones who would have thuis man come in and mock what is right with real immigration.
Report Post »SHEEPDRINKTEA
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 6:25pmYou say mockery, I say chill out.
Colbert was part of a conversation. He brought attention to a hearing that would have gone un-noticed had he not been there.
Were you as outraged when Sesame Streets Elmo went before Congress?
What about Roger Clemons?
Kevin Costner?
Nick Jonas?
Sheryl Crow?
Kerry Washington?
Robert Redford?
John Legend?
Dennis Quaid?
Julia Roberts?
Christie Brinkley?
Michael J. Fox?
Kevin Richardson?
Muhammad Ali?
Alanis Morissette?
Don Henley?
Christopher Reeve?
Katie Couric?
Tony Bennett?
Mary Tyler Moore?
Nicole Kidman?
Dee Snider?
Billy Corgan?
Jewel?
Tom Colicchio?
Elizabeth Taylor?
Edward Norton?
Gretchen Wilson?
Frank Zappa?
Hollywood and politics seem to go hand in hand.
George Murphy
Ronald Reagan
Clint Eastwood
Fred Grandy
Ben Jones
Sonny Bono
Jesse “The Body” Ventura
Fred Thompson
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Shirley Temple Black
Jerry Springer
John Gavin
Alan Autry
Would you be so upset if Glenn Beck was asked to speak before congress?
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 6:44pmGrew up in deep south as white boy, everything was black and white. Moved to Houston at 15,did not know what an illegal immigrate was. First summer job in 1972 was at a wholesale nursery. One day immigration van pulled in and all the workers ran!!! I had NO idea what was happening. I witnessed the invasion of Texas from the open borders by the illegals. From 45 to 50 years of age I hit hard times and had to take any job I could take after Sept.11,2001. One of those was as a day laborer, ,wheelbarrowing concrete to repair driveways and new patios. We would go by the convenience store’s to pick up illegals as needed.We made the same amount per day. If we had big jobs the boss would take them home and say we would pick them up the next day. Many of times they did not show up. One day it had been rainy and cold. We went by the usual store and only a couple of illegals were there. They came up to the truck,boss told them $60 a day,same as me and they turned the work DOWN!!!! So I had to take the $60 a day to keep my roof over my head and the boss’s comment was “They have become MORE Americanized than we have and the thing is, today they probably will NOT get anymore offers of work. The people that say we will not take the work and Steve Colbert can kiss my White American, HARDWORKING ASS!!! The “Government Stupid” can keep their handouts and can“ GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH”
TERM LIMITS NOW !!
FAIR TAX NOW !!
Report Post »klsitton
Posted on September 24, 2010 at 7:10pmYou know…. one could almost argue contempt here. Since he was in character during his testimony, isn’t that in effect acting, and actually being untruthful in violation of the oath he took at the beginning, commiting perjury? And since he was invited to testify by those knowing how he would present himself, isn’t that in effect suborning perjury?
Hmmmm….
Report Post »