SNL will hold the country together

A few weeks ago, while waiting to start the Highlander (Regis' student paper) meeting, I decided to show the SNL spoof of Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric. For the most part, the fifteen in the room were able to let out a good laugh, even the McCain-Palin supporters. Yet, I noticed a few students looking a bit uncomfortable. These students were fidgety, flustered, even a bit snide in their responses during the meeting. In part, I was a little surprised--and not for seeming "biased," I expected that; but because ironically enough, these students hadn't seen the original interview. (I found out a few days later, sadly enough, that the same students happen to think McCain will save the world. Seriously.)

Now in all fairness, I'd expect a similar response from Obama-Biden supporters had I shown the SNL spoof on the first presidential debate. But, of course, all of the staff watched the real thing. And though I'm sure there are some Obama fans on my staff who think he'll save the world too, they, having watched the real debate, are a different argument all together.

See, what worries me about some of my fellow youth voters is their "selective ignorance." Although I admit to reading more news and perspectives that favor my candidate, I know it would be irresponsible of me not to also consider other and all points of view, including those that highly regard the other candidate. So, I keep my options open. Otherwise, there's no conversation to be had, or at least, an intellectually grounded one, at that.

I'm not saying the three students on my staff are lacking wit (maybe a sense of humor, though); but rather, they're lacking the openness that's necessary in this time of negative campaigns, partisan politics, and half-truths. If they can't laugh at what's clearly meant to be a satire, to me, that means they don't really understand the point of being a responsible, informed citizen. By Hauerwas' terms, they're stuck in an optimistc delusion. (I mean, you're seriously delusional if you think either candidate is perfect. And on the flip side, you're also seriously delusional if you think either candidate can't be president.)

Having seen most of my staff laugh at the skit was at least hopeful, because I got to see that the majority of them were actually cognizant of their candidates' positions, and the critiques against them. I was most impressed by the McCain-Palin supporters especially, because, despite the jokes poking fun at Palin, they, as conscious voters, showed their openness to conversation, and that, really, at the end of the day, politics is just politics. Not life, not the end of the world. And for sure is not a college student's life. Or at least, I hope not.

At this point in the election, to make it through, we need to laugh a little, while still being realistic about the economy, the election, health care, and the war. Otherwise, change can't happen. Without a willingness to know and critically think through the issues, I don't see how America can move foward. Nor can I see hope in either candidate's ability for change.

Be it SNL, or something on youtube, the political satire provides us necessary relief during this political chaos. At the end of the day, hope comes with having a good time. I mean, we might as well, as we figure a way out of this mess.

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