BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS

Sarcasm has its place but I have never cared for a lot of it. To me, its a form of verbal attack. Often a very sarcastic person uses their sarcasm to cover inner anger & rage. Or a misplaced sense of superiority Maybe its at the person(s) or thing(s) they are commenting on - maybe its anger transferred from something else in their life. In short, I feel its often nasty & done purposely. It can be very humiliating to be the receiver or to even hear it said about other people or things. I've heard people who are very sarcastic say they consider themselves "funny & humorous." Sorry, I don't. I use sarcasm occasionally myself but I prefer irony or humor to get my point across - Sarcasm isn't always funny - its sometimes a form of hate speech. For those of us striving to be more ethical to everyone - here's a little quiz: By Avis Yarbrough The dictionary defines sarcasm as a cutting or contemptuous remark. If you are one of those people who consid...

The Year's Most Laughable Political Antics by Daniel Kurtzman The late-night comedians may have made an early exit from the scene, but fortunately there was no shortage of political punch lines in 2007. From tapping toes and UFO encounters to prostitution scandals and $400 haircuts, it was a year in which politicians did their best to satirize themselves. As a salute to our nation's fine public servants, here's a look back at the year's most memorable feats and foibles. The envelopes, please. Winner of the George Orwell Award for Outstanding Achievement in Historical Revisionism: Karl Rove, for claiming that Senate Democrats prematurely forced President Bush to go to war in Iraq when Congress passed the war resolution in 2002. It was the White House's position, Rove insisted, that the issue should not have been politicized right before an election. On hearing that claim, Andrew Card, former White House chief of staff, laughed and said sometimes Rove's "mout...

Bush Pays Surprise Visit to Reality (A little 'hump day' levity) President Calls Two-Hour Stop in Real World ‘Informative’ President George W. Bush departed from his planned itinerary this past Labor Day to make a surprise visit to reality, later calling the two-hour stop in the real world “informative.” For Mr. Bush, the visit to reality, while brief, was still significant because it represented his first visit to the real world since being elected President in 2000. “The President has not visited reality the entire time he’s been in the White House,” one aide said. “The closest he’s come is watching ‘Survivor.’” Mr. Bush touched down in the real world a little after dawn, delivering a brief address on the airport runway in which he attempted to put the best face on his relationship with reality, a relationship which has been frayed in recent years. But beneath the smiles and positive statements, Mr. Bush’s aides seemed well aware that the President’s relationship with reality...

OY! THE MAN IS JUST A COMEDIAN! I really love Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart. They make me laugh. A lot. That's because they are COMICS. I used to be one. The best kind of comic writing is to reveal the ironies and absurdities of life. Stewart & Colbert have a lot to say. They don't ask you to AGREE with them nor are they promoting themselves as policymakers. They are comics. Sharp, insightful but under it all - trying to be funny. They lampoon themselves as much as they do others. Being able to see the humor in your own nonsense is mentally healthy. And personally, I have problems with people who can make fun of others but not laugh when the joke's on them. Relax Rep. Emanuel. It's a COMEDY SHOW. Now Carlos Mencia? A whole 'nother story! (that's for my nephew!) EXCERPTS: "Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the Democratic Caucus chairman, has told new Democratic members of Congress to steer clear of Stephen Colbert, or at least his satirical C...